Did you know that the first shot from a member of the British forces in the First World War was fired by an African? And in Africa? The man was part of the British West African Frontier Force, which was in the process of invading the German … » Read

MILAN--Arguably Europe’s most important cultural event, opening night at La Scala always falls on December 7, the feast day of the city’s patron saint, St. Ambrose. The usual gathering of Italian politicians, second-tier celebrities, … » Read

The Grammy nominations were announced on December 7, pushed back from December 5 due to President George H.W. Bush's funeral. These apply to the 61st annual awards, scheduled for February 10 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The portion of … » Read

In October, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation invested $20 million in Detroit arts groups , such as Sphinx and Michigan Opera Theater. This month, it announced Miami arts groups will be getting $37 million. Since 2005 the foundation has … » Read

The Association of California Symphony Orchestras (ACSO) has promoted Membership and Development Manager Sarah Weber to succeed Mitch Menchaca as executive director. He announced in October that he would be leaving to become executive director of … » Read

The San Francisco Conservatory of Music (SFCM) has named Jonas Wright as dean and chief academic officer. He has been serving as interim since the departure in of provost and dean Kate Sheeran , now executive director of Manhattan’s Kaufman … » Read

The Detroit Symphony Orchestra has shared some news about its much admired CEO, Anne Parsons. “This fall, Anne was diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer. Her doctors at the Henry Ford Health System have done extensive testing and found … » Read

Verdi’s “lost one” found her way once again to the Metropolitan Opera on Tuesday for the sixth new production of La Traviata since the company moved to Lincoln Center in 1966. Perhaps in response to its previous staging, Willy … » Read

Just as the University of Michigan discontinues the M-Priz e, the curtain is rising on a new chamber music competition organized by the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, in Birmingham, UK. The title decidedly doesn’t roll off the tongue: The … » Read

Clive Gillinson was married on Saturday evening in a private, Orthodox Jewish ceremony to Anya Deutsch. She is a lawyer, 42; he is the ageless artistic and executive director of Carnegie Hall. The event took place at Cipriani Wall Street. Anya … » Read