For nearly two decades, Walter Hambock lived a quiet life in the tiny Scottish village of Strichen, playing the organ at his church, directing the local music society, and running a small sheet music publishing business with his wife Helen Weir. … » Read

The economic outlook for Broadway musicals is increasingly fraught. Although the past season drew more than 14 million patrons and produced the highest gross in a decade, as of late September none of the 18 musicals that opened last season made a … » Read

When Chicago’s classical radio station WFMT announced on December 10’s that a new host for the internationally syndicated “Exploring Music” series would start in March, it failed to mention any plans for its originator and … » Read

CHICAGO—Christmas came early for Chicago Symphony audiences on December 18. I refer not to the orchestra’s holiday music concerts, which continue this week, but to what was the first of three regular subscription performances of … » Read

When Harry Connick Jr. [pictured] was just 21 years old, he got a call from the late Rob Reiner that helped make his career. In the midst of directing When Harry Met Sally , Reiner invited the composer/performer to Hollywood to “play some … » Read

The sudden renaming of the Kennedy Center to honor Donald Trump by his hand-picked governing board last week was thoroughly predictable. It was one more effort by his inner circle to court favor with him for praise unearned. But it also has the … » Read

Anyone interested in finding out what’s on offer at the newly rechristened “The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts” may have to search a bit on the Internet. Two of the most logical … » Read

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Kennedy Center started the work of adding Donald Trump’s name to the building on Friday, a day after the president’s handpicked board voted to do so. Several blue tarps were hung in front of the institution … » Read

Curtis Institute of Music has announced the appointment of Teng Li (’05) to its performance faculty with the beginning of the 2026-27 school year. A globally renowned performer, Li is principal viola of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and a … » Read

Among the highlights of the 47 th edition of the Rossini Opera Festival (ROF), scheduled for Pesaro, Italy, August 11 to 23, will be one new production; two revivals of productions by Jean-Pierre Ponnelle and Damiano Michieletto; a 30 th … » Read