KALAMAZOO, MI—Shy. Private. Self-deprecating. Van Cliburn wasn’t exactly your typical divo. As the subject of American Sputnik , however, an unusual new monodrama by composer Evan Mack and librettist Mark Campbell, the legendary … » Read

The much-anticipated appearance of Herbert Blomstedt with the San Francisco Symphony, the orchestra he led from 1985 to 1995, last weekend had its ups and downs. About to turn 99 in July, the maestro has maintained an impressive number of guest … » Read

On May 15 the beloved English soprano Dame Felicity Lott died at 79 of cancer only days after a public announcement of her condition during an interview on BBC. Best known for her interpretation of the music of Mozart and Richard Strauss, her … » Read

The New York-based Ulysses Quartet  [pictured] has chosen Julian Seney to be its new violist, succeeding Peter Dudek. Seney joins violinists Christina Bouey and Rhiannon Banerdt, and cellist Grace Ho, the three of whom founded the group in … » Read

David Finckel and Wu Han, power couple of chamber music, have extended their contract as co-artistic directors of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center (CMS) through 2032. Cellist Finckel and pianist Wu Han have held the post since … » Read

In less than six months after its departure from The Kennedy Center, the Washington National Opera has fashioned an adventurous 2026-27 season that General Director Timothy O’Leary characterizes as one of “new creative freedom, new … » Read

Composer Gabriela Lena Frank scored a triumph at the May 14 Met Opera premiere of her 2022 work El Ú ltimo Sue ño de Frida y Diego. The two-act work, with a Spanish-language libretto by Nilo Cruz, is born aloft by Frank’s … » Read

MILWAUKEE—The same company that churned out the well-traveled Chevalier and Secret Byrd in recent seasons is back with Copland/Twain , which debuted at the Milwaukee Symphony’s Bradley Center May 8 to 10. The semi-staged production … » Read

A little over a hundred years ago, banker and music-lover Walter Naumburg met a young singer who told him of her difficulties in financing her New York debut recital, and how she had been forced to importune her friends for donations. A recital … » Read

Dallas Opera has hired David Lomeli, chief artistic officer at Santa Fe Opera and casting consultant for Bayerische Staatsoper, as its next general director and CEO as of June 1, 2026. He succeeds Ian Derrer, who is headed for a similar post at … » Read