Russell Thomas has a problem—of sorts. A tenor who has performed in many of the world’s leading opera houses, he can sing one of the art form’s most demanding roles—Verdi’s Otello. Many tenors cannot, and as a black … » Read

Desire , a one-hour chamber opera by Hannah Lash, had its premiere last week at Columbia University’s Miller Theater, which, under the supportive leadership of Melissa Smey, produces short, spare, experimental, often weird pieces like this … » Read

Adrian Jones becomes the new orchestral director of the Staatskapelle Dresden as of January 2020, a capacity in which he’ll be working with Dresden Staatsoper Chief Conductor Christian Thielemann. Jones succeeds Jan Nast, who left Dresden … » Read

Johann Sebastian Bach is often portrayed as a model of rectitude—a “conformist establishment figure” closely associated with “respectability and propriety.” But, argues music historian Ted Gioia, that … » Read

Opéra de Québec General Artistic Director Grégoire Legendre has announced his intention to retire after 25 years at the helm. He leaves at the end of the 2019-20 season. His hand-picked successor is baritone … » Read

Alicia Alonso, the revered ballerina and choreographer whose nearly 75-year career made her an icon of artistic loyalty to Cuba's socialist system, died October 17 at age 98. Miguel Cabrera, an official at the National Ballet of Cuba founded by … » Read

MILAN — Plácido Domingo will not receive a European cultural award this weekend in Vienna as previously announced. It was the first change in the opera legend’s European schedule since numerous accusations of sexual … » Read

Saturday morning, the Ravinia Festival quietly announced the impending exit of its longtime President and CEO Welz Kauffman. He intends to leave at the end of the 2020 season, after 20 years at the helm. “After much reflection, I’ve … » Read

The Los Angeles Music Center—whose resident companies include the Center Theatre Group, Los Angeles Master Chorale, Los Angles Opera and the Los Angeles Philharmonic—has a new board chair in philanthropist and onetime City Council … » Read

LONDON—Cards on the table, there were appreciative guffaws from some in the Covent Garden audience at the opening night (October 14) of this new staging of Don Pasquale . I’m baffled as to why. Damiano Michieletto’s ageist … » Read