SANTA FE—Since its inception, Santa Fe Opera has avoided Wagner, except for the relatively short Der fliegende Holländer . Curtain times here must wait until sunset for the lighting to work, and it was thought that performing the … » Read

The Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra (IPO) has renewed the contract of Stilian Kirov [pictured], music director since 2017-18, through the 2026-27 season. Kirov is also at the artistic helm of the Bakersfield (CA) Symphony Orchestra. On his … » Read

Craig Hassall, CEO of London’s Royal Albert Hall since 2017, has announced his resignation, effective at the end of 2022. He is leaving to assume the role of president and chief executive of Playhouse Square in Cleveland, Ohio. Hassall has … » Read

The Reno (NV) Philharmonic has hired Ignacio Barrón Viela [pictured], executive director of the Billings (MT) Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, to be its next president and CEO, effective October 26.  A native of Spain, he succeeds Tim … » Read

Jazz trumpeter and pedagogue Ingrid Jensen   has been named dean of the Manhattan School of Music’s (MSM) Jazz Arts division, a position she moves into with immediate effect. Jensen has been serving as interim dean of the program since … » Read

Part I, covering M. Butterfly and Carmen, was posted yesterday. SANTA FE--There are serious opera fans who consider Verdi’s final opera, Falstaff , to be his greatest work. Experiencing it afresh here at Santa Fe in David McVicar’s … » Read

With Andris Nelsons done with his podium duties for the summer, Tanglewood welcomed a trio of conductors to the stage on Aug. 5-7. First up was BSO Assistant Conductor Earl Lee in his performance debut with the BSO. Composer Brian Raphael Nabors … » Read

Surviving as a fulltime musician in Seattle and environs is so difficult that as many as four in 10 respondents to a recent survey suggested they might change their job or relocate within the next year. “It’s becoming increasingly a … » Read

For many opera cognoscenti, summer in Bayreuth means Wagner. But the Festspielhaus is not the only show in town. Each summer for two weeks, the Margravial Opera House, built in the middle of the 18 th century by Wilhelmina, daughter of the King … » Read

SANTA FE, NM—“Wokeness” doesn’t guarantee artistic success. Santa Fe Opera’s first full season since 2019 includes the premiere of an opera based on M. Butterfly , a Broadway play that used a true story to explore … » Read