In White Malice , a new book detailing the CIA’s activities in central and west Africa in the 1950s and early 60s, author Susan Williams relates how Louis Armstrong unwittingly provided cover for a CIA spy while on a 1960 State … » Read

CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK: I’ve spent the last several months editing reviews by critics who have been lucky enough to get back into the concert hall. One after another—London, Los Angeles, Paris--each reported the joy of the return, of being … » Read

The Spoleto Festival USA is putting together a new, specific-to-the-task choir, with auditions scheduled for four cities this fall. The choir’s makeup and formation will follow the model of the Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra, which hosts … » Read

The English Touring Opera (ETO) has notified nearly half of its musicians that they will not be contracted for the 2022 tour. The reason, says the ETO, is the prioritization of “increased diversity in the orchestra…. in line with the … » Read

The LA Philharmonic’s Dudamel Fellowship Program, now in its 12 th year, is proving to be a highly successful incubator for young conducting talent. While most orchestras engage an assistant conductor or two to step in when needed and to … » Read

Patrick Hahn, a 26-year-old Austrian conductor, composer, and pianist, is to be the new and first-time-ever principal guest conductor of the Münchner Rundfunkorchester as of this season. He has led the orchestra on several occasions in the … » Read

James Conlon has extended his contract as music director of the Los Angeles Opera through the end of the 2024-25 season, which will bring his tenure with the company to 19 years. The 71-year-old native New Yorker and the Los Angelenos seemed to … » Read

Dorn Music has signed 21-year-old Finnish conductor Tarmo Peltokoski for worldwide general management. Peltokoski began his studies with famed pedagogue Jorma Panula at the age of 14. He is currently studying with Sakari Oramo at the Sibelius … » Read

The American Ballet Theater (ABT) and Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa, CA. have announced a three-year partnership that will include annual productions of Alexei Ratmansky’s The Nutcracker as well as several world and West … » Read

Alberto W. Vilar, whose record-setting largesse proved chimerical, died on Sept. 4 at age 80. A money manager who built a nearly $1 bn fortune through Amerindo Investment Advisors by focusing on biotechnology and technology stock, Vilar gave or … » Read