PARIS--Stéphane Lissner  pronounced late last week that the Paris Opera was “on its knees,” and that he would leave early as general director such that his successor, Alexander Neef, current head of the Canadian Opera … » Read

With new data projecting an uptick in Covid-19 cases in Tennessee, the Nashville Symphony has suspended all operations through July 31, 2021. The orchestra had  signaled major furloughs to come last week. Now it has said all musicians and 49 … » Read

On June 12 the Houston Symphony announced an $11mn budget cut and staff layoffs in response to deficits resulting from the coronavirus. This blow comes less than three years after the devastation caused by flooding from Hurricane Harvey in August … » Read

Every day seems to add to the list of musical organizations devastated by the coronavirus pandemic. Two of the latest casualties are the Banff Center for Arts and Creativity and the Houston Symphony. On June 11 the Banff Center, in business since … » Read

Jaap van Zweden has extended his contract with the Hong Kong Philharmonic through the end of the 2023/24 season. He will have been the orchestra’s music director for 12 years and will thereafter take the title of laureate. Van Zweden is … » Read

VIENNA – As Joni Mitchell wrote, “Don’t it always seem to go that you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone.” This made the surprise reopening of Vienna’s wondrous Musikverein for three weeks in … » Read

The Vienna Philharmonic returned home, and its famous strings purred for the first time since March 10. The 1,744-seat Goldener Saal (main hall) of the Musikverein, considered by many the world’s most beautiful, acoustically desirable … » Read

Philadelphia’s Kimmel Center, facing a $5.3 million deficit on its $54 million budget, will  furlough 80 percent of its 110-member staff by the end of the month, and cut the hours and pay for the rest of its workers. Using rent from … » Read

These are desperate times for nonprofit institutions of all stripes. The coronavirus pandemic threatens the very survival of organizations devoted to social justice, the environment, the arts and museums, and myriad other causes. Ninety percent … » Read

On June 20 Classical Movements, the Virginia-based touring company, will present a day of concerts designed for the era of pandemic. “Sounds of Hope & Harmony” will feature two one-hour-long programs, each performed three times, … » Read