To cope with what is increasingly looking like a universally dark and/or streamed 2020-21 season, many orchestras are outlining new terms with their musicians that will enable both sides to continue working but at reduced circumstances. These … » Read

Pre-eminent clarinetist Michael Collins is to be the new artistic director in-residence of the London Mozart Players, a two-year appointment that starts September 2021 and fits in well with his evolution into conducting. LMP has recently launched … » Read

While most American symphony orchestras are challenged in their attempts to build diverse audiences, staffs, and boards, the Chicago Sinfonietta is the exception that proves the rule. In 1987 the late conductor and activist Paul Freeman , founded … » Read

Even if you can’t see a lot of opera on stage right now, there are still plenty of chances to hear it on record with four intriguing contemporary American works among the best of the recent releases. Missy Mazzoli ’s track record as a … » Read

Breaking 84 years of tradition, American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) has for the first time ever endorsed a presidential candidate. At the urging of the (unaffiliated) Soloists Coalition , not to mention its national membership, AGMA on … » Read

The Save Our Stages Act, which was  given a “kick in the gut” when Congress adjourned on August 13 without considering it, is part of the Heroes Act, which has been  gridlocked in Congress for several months. As of September … » Read

Following the Second World War, many Jewish families had few possessions to remind them of their previous life. Among those reminders most highly valued were violins that had belonged to klezmer musicians, orchestra members, and wealthy families … » Read

Already reeling from the financial impact of the pandemic, Opera Australia (OA) took a next step in its efforts to reduce expenses, disclosing that 16 orchestra musicians have been made redundant (i.e., fired) and another 13 vacancies would … » Read

Julius Eastman died at 49, homeless and destitute, much of his music lost. Many of his compositions that do survive have been painstakingly reconstructed or transcribed from recordings since his death in 1990. Over the past few years … » Read

The Kennedy Center reintroduced live music in grand style on Sept. 26, when Renée Fleming and Vanessa Williams offered an eclectic, hour-long array of songs for a small, very select audience. The locale was the Opera House, dramatically … » Read