Katie Mitchell, the director whose feminist stagings during the past three decades have won praise and caused controversy, is retiring from opera. “I’m definitely bringing my work in opera to a close because of the misogyny,” … » Read

Conductor Ken-David Masur, music director of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and principal conductor of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, is to be the newest artistic partner for the Oregon Bach Festival, which the University of Oregon describes … » Read

Connecticut-based composer Kyle Rivera will be the fifth recipient of the Emerging Black Composers Prize (EBCP), renamed the Michael Morgan Prize in 2023 in honor of the late Oakland Symphony music director. The prize includes a $15,000 … » Read

The U.K.’s National Youth Orchestra (NYO) has appointed Lucy Bayliss as director of engagement & partnerships, a newly created position, effective in mid-November. Her remit, according to the announcement is “to open up orchestral … » Read

Just on the heels of receiving the 2025 Birgit Nilsson Prize , the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence has announced its General Director as noted opera director Ted Huffman. His five-year contract is effective as of January 1, 2026.  Huffman, … » Read

Few musicians have left a legacy as substantial as that of Birgit Nilsson, nor done more than she to support their art form in practical and philanthropic ways. Since 1973, when the Swedish diva was at the height of her fame, the Birgit Nilsson … » Read

Chicago Opera Theater (COT) has not been immune to industry challenges. Echoing the tough calls of other companies, General Director Lawrence Edelson cut last year’s Platée when it became clear the company wouldn’t be able to … » Read

Twenty opera companies have launched the UK Opera Association (UKOA), a new trade organization to "strengthen the future of opera and ensure the art form continues to thrive across the country.” An initial grant of £25,000 from Arts … » Read

Benita Valente, a lyric soprano whose four-decade career established her as one of America’s greatest recitalists as well as a much- admired performer in opera, chamber music, and with orchestras, died in Philadelphia on Oct. 24. She was … » Read

Polly Kahn, a leading voice in the orchestral field, died on Oct. 14 after a brief illness. She was 77. As vice president for learning and leadership development at the League of American Orchestras between 2000 and 2014, she had a daunting … » Read