A set of young New Yorkers seems to have decided that the Met is cool. Sure, many of them appear more interested in the dress-up-drink-Champagne-and-be-fabulous aspect than in the art, but that's been true for centuries — and others are finding they like opera. - The New York Times
The program will support four new fellows each season by the year 2025, making it one of the larger fellowship opportunities in the country. - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
2021 is the 300th anniversary of the six extraordinary works. Mark Swed looks at the slew of recordings marking the occasion, from a spectacular period-instrument account to a reissued version from 86 years ago to a set of six new companion pieces. - Yahoo! (Los Angeles Times)
Jay Nordlinger: "What is the glory of Western civilization? Our political freedom, probably — the rights of individual man. But I would not put music far behind, with Bach leading the way." - National Review
In particular, symphony orchestras, such as those in San Antonio and in Springfield, Mass., which have the twin problems of long-term financial distress and intractable disputes with musicians' unions demanding livable wages are facing serious danger. - The New York Times
New investors, including private equity firms, have poured billions of dollars into the market, viewing music royalties as a kind of safe commodity — an investment, somewhat like real estate, with predictable rates of return and relatively low risk. - The New York Times
Nope. That honor goes to You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. "The 1966 concept recording is a fascinating document for fans of the musical, because it reveals how fully formed much of the score was before a stage incarnation was actually in the works." - Howard Sherman
The concert hall in London is feeling the pain - and asking the British government to make masks and proof of vaccination required for venues its size. - BBC
There is no Bridgerton musical, and yet ... the pandemic lack of Broadway "left room for voters to be more adventurous, opening the door to a nomination for concept albums including The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical by Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear that went viral thanks to TikTok." - Variety
With a view to improving that experience, presumably, Apple acquired dedicated classical music streaming service Primephonic in August 2021. In a press release, the company promises Apple Music subscribers “a significantly improved classical music experience.” - Ludwig Van
“After studying this phenomenon extensively, we’ve determined that the sound comes from new and more aerodynamic railing that we installed on the west sidewalk. It was part of a Golden Gate Bridge retrofit designed to protect the bridge for future generations.” - The Guardian
"When Valentine Colasante was called up to replace an injured dancer in the Paris Opera's Don Quixote, a three-hour ballet that she had performed exactly once before, she didn't even have time to be nervous." And she was lucky: she had three days' notice. - Yahoo! (AFP)
While he can't help mentioning some things that he believes mustn't remain as they are now, the title of this piece is "What Shouldn't Change About Classical Music", and it's something of a gratitude list. - The New York Times
The gift from the California foundation Crankstart will enable Juilliard to increase enrollment in its Music Advancement Program from 70 to 100 students, provide free tuition to all of them, and help pay for musical instruments. - The New York Times
In March, Bob Dylan sold his catalog to Universal Music for a reported $300 million. Earlier this week, Primary Wave purchased James Brown’s music assets for $90 million. - Los Angeles Times
