The arrival of the compact disc nearly killed off record albums, with vinyl pressing machines sold, scrapped and dismantled by major record labels. Four decades later, with resuscitated record album sales producing double-digit annual growth, … » Read

CHICAGO—In June 2011 Riccardo Muti closed his first season as Chicago Symphony Orchestra music director with a riveting concert version of Verdi’s Otello . I still remember cowering in my seat during the opening storm scene, fearful … » Read

Michaella Calzaretta [pictured], chorus master and assistant conductor of Utah Opera, is to be the new chorus master and head of music staff for the Seattle Opera. She assumes the new post immediately, preparing the 36-member ensemble for the … » Read

It was time, opines Lionel Sosa, to “put this great lady out of her misery.” The lady he refers to was the San Antonio Symphony, which last week initiated bankruptcy proceedings, effectively ending its 83-year existence . Sosa is more … » Read

The Los Angeles Philharmonic is hardly the only purveyor of classical music in Los Angeles. The Street Symphony brings professional musicians to clinics, homeless shelters, and jails clustered in and around L.A.’s Skid Row, one of the most … » Read

On June 24 an international jury selected the Viennese architectural office Jabornegg & Pálffy, together with Vasko+Partner Ingenieure of the same city, to carry out the planned €335mn ($355mn) renovation and expansion of the … » Read

CHICAGO -- In the twilight of his music directorship of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Riccardo Muti candidly outlined his legacy and implored musicians to remember his instruction on Giuseppe Verdi’s operas: use the 19th century scores … » Read

Acclaimed French pianist David Fray [pictured] has joined Arabella Arts for general management. He was previously with IMG Artists. In addition to performing internationally as a soloist and with major orchestras,  Fray in 2021 launched the … » Read

Mezzo-soprano Sheila Nadler died on June 25 in Manhattan at age 82. She studied with Rosa Ponselle and was among the selected few chosen for Maria Callas’s famous masterclasses at Juilliard 1971-72. Ms. Nadler sang major roles on stages … » Read

In 2008, when the Big Noise Project began in Raploch, only one child living in this impoverished cluster of estate houses at the foot of Stirling Castle was learning to play a musical instrument. Today, there are more than 400, and the estate has … » Read