As The New York Times and other high-profile outlets herald the arrival of Kirill Petrenko as music director of the Berlin Philharmonic as classical music’s Second Coming, one highly knowledgeable,  multi-award-winning critic is not so … » Read

Kansas City Symphony Music Director Michael Stern [pictured] has extended his current contract through the 2022/23 season, after which he intends to step down.  When he does so, he will have been artistic overseer of the orchestra for 18 … » Read

The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra has a new principal English horn as of this season; he is Kyle Mustain [pictured], formerly in the same position with the Oregon Symphony for eight years. Mustain succeeds Harold Smoliar, who retired at the end … » Read

A brief political protest interrupted the Sept. 6 opening of the San Francisco Opera (SFO) season when two men chanted “Impeach Trump now!” and tossed flyers off the balcony. Michael Petrelis told the San Francisco Chronicle that he … » Read

Over the past decade Opera Philadelphia has established a reputation as an innovative company that nurtures new works and breathes fresh life into standard fare. It has given birth to 21 new operas—works that have gone on to over 260 … » Read

American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA) has decided to launch its own investigation into “the multiple allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination against Plácido Domingo.” Its members, especially female, are the … » Read

As a result of  yesterday’s AP report that more individuals had come forward to confirm Domingo’s inappropriate behaviors, the Dallas Opera has cancelled its March 11 gala with him as its headliner. Dallas joins the Philadelphia … » Read

For the first time, the Banff International String Quartet Competition has awarded its first prize to two ensembles: The Marmen String Quartet, from London, and the Viano String Quartet, from Los Angeles. Ten quartets competed in the week-long … » Read

Louise Jeffreys, artistic director of the Barbican, is to become deputy chair of English National Opera and the London Coliseum. She succeeds Nicholas Allan. She announced her departure from the Barbican, scheduled for the end of this year, in … » Read

Gianandrea Noseda is wasting no time in reshaping the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO). Now entering his third season at the NSO’s artistic helm, he has brought in 16 new musicians, five of whom start this season. Succeeding Barry Hearn as … » Read