The greatest operas are those in which outstanding music is wed to a powerful, poetic libretto. Contemporary examples include John Adams’s work with Alice Goodman ( Nixon in China , The Death of Klinghoffer ), or George Benjamin’s … » Read

Russian-born pianist and conductor Vladimir Ashkenazy is retiring from public performance. The 82-year-old maestro first gained public notice at the 1955 International Chopin  Piano Competition in Warsaw, where he won the silver medal. He … » Read

PARIS — Striking musicians and singers of the Paris Opera staged an open-air concert on Saturday in front of the city's historic opera house in protest against a pension reform that seeks to end their special retirement scheme. Orchestra … » Read

Yet another good news story has emerged about the happy outcome of inner city school children receiving musical training that they would not otherwise have access to. This one comes on the heels of the Governor of Texas’s attempt last week … » Read

Barry Tuckwell, foremost French horn virtuoso of the 20 th century, founding music director of the Maryland Symphony and the Tasmanian Symphony in his native Australia, died on January 16 in a hospital in Melbourne. He was 88 and suffered from … » Read

Daniel Harding, just on the heels of a guest podium appearance with the New York Philharmonic, will take a year’s sabbatical from conducting to focus on his other career, as a pilot. (He earned his license about four years ago.) The music … » Read

The Grammys will go on as planned next week, but the organization that presides over and in some cases decides them, is in crisis. Having responded to former Recording Academy President Neil Portnow’s much publicized comment in 2017 that … » Read

Even with having secured $7.25 million in private monies to help stabilize its finances, the Baltimore Symphony is still at the bottom of Republican Gov. Larry Hogan’s list for a promised $1.6 million from the state. His attempt to block … » Read

Cellist István Várdai is to be the artistic director of the Franz Liszt Chamber Orchestra (FLCO), a new concept for an ensemble whose history has seen its leaders either within the group and/or with visiting soloists, a stellar … » Read

Plácido Domingo appeared last night at the Berlin Staatsoper in Traviata , but some were not happy about it and protested outside the hall. He is still scheduled to sing there next Tuesday as well. There have been calls from Pro Quote … » Read