When the call came telling jazz singer/composer Cecile McLorin Salvant that she was to receive a MacArthur Fellowship, commonly referred to as a “genius grant,” she told the caller, “You made a mistake. Because it’s … » Read

On Oct. 6, 400 musicians came together in London’s Parliament Square to protest the Johnson government’s thus far feeble response to calls for financial relief for British free-lancers. “We’ve all spent years and years … » Read

While the pandemic has made it tricky for orchestras to perform, it has been a little easier for chamber groups, hence the recent deluge of new recordings by small ensembles, many of them offering repertoire by living composers. Top billing goes … » Read

The Canadian Opera Company, now sharing its general director with the Paris Opera , has cancelled its plans for the 2020-21 season. “Given the ongoing uncertainties around large-scale gatherings,” writes General Director Alexander … » Read

The Paris Opera is looking at banning "blackface" in its ballets and operas after nearly a quarter of its staff called for a major shake-up of how it deals with race. The issue of racism and diversity has been seen simmering since the … » Read

The Philadelphia Orchestra opened its 121 st season with an entirely virtual program that included guest performances by Steve Martin on banjo, soprano Angel Blue, and pianist Lang Lang, with Billy Jean King acting as host. The concert proceeded … » Read

Marin Alsop has been named music director of the annual National Orchestral Institute + Festival at the University of Maryland’s Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center. She’s its first ever music director, but has been active over the … » Read

Musicians unable to follow a regular performance schedule—i.e., most of them—are eager to find other ways to engage with their artistic colleagues. One way attracting increasing attention is the commissioning of new works. The … » Read

British rock band Led Zeppelin on Monday effectively won a long-running legal battle over claims it stole the opening guitar riff from its signature 1971 song "Stairway to Heaven." The band, one of the best-selling rock acts of all time, was … » Read

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Helen Reddy, who shot to stardom in the 1970s with her rousing feminist anthem I Am Woman and recorded a string of other hits, has died. She was 78. Reddy’s children Traci and Jordan announced that the actor-singer … » Read