VENTSPILS, Latvia—A German-born innovator has crafted what is believed to be the world's largest grand piano. It is without question one of a kind: attached high on the wall of a concert hall in Latvia, the steel-framed vertical grand piano … » Read

The Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra, popular with U.S. audiences, has been forced to cancel its Stateside tours because of new, even more restrictive hurdles the U.S. has imposed in obtaining a visa. In what very well may be a violation of … » Read

Not every headline about Guatemala these days involves immigration and Trump. The country drew attention this past week when Adriana Gonzalez, a 27-year-old soprano from Guatemala City, became one of two winners of Plácido Domingo's … » Read

The links between cultural participation and mental well-being are at the root of several therapeutic projects underway in Europe. In Denmark, one of the most ambitious is a pilot program—Kulturvitaminer (culture vitamins)—that works … » Read

Opera composers are forever on the lookout for good source material. In past centuries mythology, popular novels and stage works, and tales of historical romance provided the grist for everyone from Gluck to Verdi, Wagner, and Puccini. … » Read

The U. S. Senate yesterday voted today to confirm Mary Anne Carter as chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts. Carter was a policy advisor to (Republican) Senator Rick Scott when he was Governor of Florida. She has no experience in the … » Read

Major changes at Opera Theater of Saint Louis include the appointments of Columbia Artists VP Damon Bristo and soprano-cum-opera-director Patricia Racette [pictured], and the exit of artistic administrator Paul Kilmer. As of September 16, Bristo … » Read

Columbia Artists is losing one of its senior managers in the opera department: VP and Artist Manager Damon Bristo is leaving after 13 years with the firm to become director of artistic administration for the Opera Theater of Saint Louis … » Read

With the exception of Wolfgang Rihm's Jakob Lenz , no operas performed at this summer's Aix Festival were as musically complex as Israeli composer Adam Maor's The Sleeping Thousand . This beguiling, multifaceted chamber opera—a … » Read

Opus 3 Artists has signed two new artists to its roster. Coming from Columbia Artists, where he was managed by Doug Sheldon, now gone from the company , is Brazilian pianist Nelson Freire [pictured], whom Opus 3 will represent in North America, … » Read