2024 will also be known as the true beginning of the end of mega-live music festival culture with the unexciting two weekends of Coachella in Indio, California, the probable finale of Delaware’s Frye Festival, and, after two straight years of cancellation, the Made in America festival in Philadelphia. - The Smart Set
As a composer, Menotti was consigned to the bittersweet status described by Somerset Maugham to characterize his own fiction—“in the first rank of the second rate.” Maugham’s self-deprecating remark is no insult. - Hudson Review
For one reason, “the voice is a powerful and mysterious thing, maybe the most primal creative instrument that human beings possess. We’re drawn to great singers because of the intricacies and capacities of that instrument and its connection to actual, singular people.” Actors can’t fake it. - Slate
The public nature of Xue’s allegations has shaken the classical music world in China. And while these allegations are unproven, they highlight structural issues that make abuse of power and corruption common at Chinese conservatories. - Van
A small cottage industry of DJs, musicians and producers have been twiddling with TTPD since its release last month, and adding their own twists. - Washington Post
While it's too late to restore the first of the string quartet's scheduled performances there, the second, for Saturday night, was reinstated with additional security measures and an earlier starting time. The venue's stated concern was over property destruction during Gaza-related demonstrations at a nearby university. - The Strad
"Across cultures, (an international team of 75) researchers found, songs share certain features not found in speech, suggesting that Darwin might have been right: Despite its diversity today, music might have evolved in our distant ancestors." - The New York Times
The Canadian-born soprano/conductor will begin, as of August 2026, a three-year term as chief conductor and artistic director of the Iceland Symphony Orchestra. She remains principal guest conductor of the Gothenburg Symphony in Sweden and takes the same position at Switzerland's Orchestre de chambre de Lausanne this summer. - Ludwig Van
“Music labels, even if they’re small, still have such a hold over artists who can’t afford to pay for production themselves. You’re always owing someone something.” - The Guardian
"'We’ve been trying to program Hockney’s Turandot for 30 years,' said Rupert Hemmings, vice president of artistic planning for L.A. Opera, which … has spent $80,000 to rent the production assets … from San Francisco Opera and Lyric Opera of Chicago, which commissioned (them) 34 years ago." - Los Angeles Times (Yahoo!)
The concert hall (not to be confused with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, a separate organization) called off the performances in the wake of demonstrations against Israel's war against Hamas at the University of Amsterdam which caused €1.5 million in damage. - NL Times
Krishna Thiagarajan, president and CEO of Seattle Symphony, said the Symphony’s search for Dausgaard’s successor began in earnest between one-and-a-half and two years ago, and today, it’s “really close announcing somebody.” - Seattle Times
That signed Stravinsky photo will set you back £1,850. For a collection of eight lavishly illustrated Ballets Russes souvenir programmes or a copy of Porgy and Bess signed by George and Ira Gershwin, author DuBose Heyward and director Rouben Mamoulian – these cost £7,500 and £8,500 respectively. - Classical Music
"Wagner, who turns 46 on May 21 and is a great-granddaughter of Richard Wagner, became co-head of the festival in September 2008, along with her half-sister Eva Wagner-Pasquier. Katharina then took over as sole head in 2015." A business manager will be hired to keep the festival within budget. - AP
