As efforts to vaccinate the American public against Covid-19 gain momentum, performing arts leaders in Chicago are quietly discussing reopening their venues for audiences that have already been inoculated. Chris Jones, a critic for the Chicago … » Read

In March of 2020, when theaters and concert halls shut down, performing arts groups, eager to stay in front of their patrons, began the steep climb up the learning curve to streaming their wares. By late spring, most were on board, or getting … » Read

The Philadelphia Orchestra is welcoming back Brian Sanders’s JUNK, a company of aerialist dancers who wowed Philly O audiences several years ago with a performance of Romeo and Juliet . Their latest collaboration—the 13-movement … » Read

Billie Holiday has always been a monster of a role. Diana Ross tackled her on film and Audra McDonald did it on stage. Now it’s time for Andra Day — a singer and actress perfectly named to play Lady Day — and she shines. … » Read

To boo or not to boo? That is the question vexing Joshua Kosman, music critic for the San Francisco Chronicle . Writing in a confessional mode, he recalls “the first and last time that I ever did such a thing [booing].” His … » Read

From July 15 through August 17, the Glimmerglass Festival will present a program of opera and music theater at a newly created outdoor stage on the vast Glimmerglass grounds in upstate New York. “While this move outdoors is primarily for … » Read

David Pratt, executive director of the Savannah Music Festival (SMF) for slightly more the two years, is to be the new CEO and executive director of the Austin (TX) Symphony Orchestra (ASO), which, at 110 years and counting, calls itself the … » Read

Skillfully positioned in the middle of one of its membership drives, WQXR has announced the particulars of Aria Code , launching its third season March 10 with the focus on “Nessun dorma” from Puccini’s Turandot . Rhiannon … » Read

Kent Nagano, whose acclaimed 16-year tenure as music director of the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal (OSM) ended at the end of last season, is back in town to conduct several programs this month and, at the same time, receive the … » Read

Puccini’s Madama Butterfly marries a transcendent musical score with an incredulous story that can raise the hackles of all but the most “unwoke” of contemporary listeners. Cio-Cio San’s death by her own hand upon learning … » Read