Elsa Citterio
c) Daniel Banko

The Toronto based Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Chamber Choir has announced that Music Director Elisa Citterio has renewed her contract through to the end of the orchestra’s 44th concert season in 2022/23. Her tenure began in 2017, when she succeeded Jeanne Lamon, who was for 33 years at the helm of the orchestra. Read More →

Valery Gergiev
Foto: Marco Borggreve

If earlier media reports from Russia spoke of very few COVID-19 cases at the Mariinsky ballet ensemble, newer posts mention at least 23 cases. And, as one can read, also some members of the Mariinsky Orchestra fell ill from the virus. The orchestra is currently on a national tour in Russia under Valery Gergiev’s baton.

Fort Worth Opera (FWO) has announced the launch of FWO Green Room, a new digital initiative to kick off the company’s 75th anniversary season. According to the press release the program « offers a blend of entertaining and interactive online content for opera lovers and novices alike. » The FWO Green Room will feature performances, seminars, masterclasses, a two-night libretto workshop, and round-table discussions. Read More →

Der aserbaidschanische Bass Eldar Aliev ist am 4. August im Alter von 49 Jahren in Mailand verstorben, wie aserbaidschanische und italienische Medien berichten. Der Sänger, der an der Mailänder Scala und anderen europäischen Bühnen erfolgreich war, traf vor etwa 15 Jahren die Entscheidung, seine brillante Karriere aufzugeben und auf der Straße zu leben. Völlig mittellos lebte er angeblich zunächst auf Parkbänken, dann in einem verlotterten Wohnwagen. Read More →

Courtney Lewis

The Jacksonville Symphony (Florida, US) has renewed Courtney Lewis’ contract as music director. The three-year and already second contract extension will retain Lewis as the artistic leader of Northeast Florida’s largest performing arts institution through the 2023/24 season. Read More →

Sir Simon Rattle

Today singer Magdalena Kozena and her husband Simon Rattle will perform together at the Brno Music Marathon Festival. The concert will be a song recital, consisting exclusively of compositions by Czech coposers Dvorak, Martinu, Schulhoff, Eben and Janacek, with Rattle accompanying Kozena on the piano. Read More →

Der siebte Symphonic Mob des Deutschen Symphonie-Orchester Berlin (DSO), der am 19. September in der Mall of Berlin wieder mit über tausend Musikbegeisterten hätte stattfinden sollen, muss Corona-bedingt in seiner gewohnten Form entfallen. Stattdessen laden das DSO und Chefdirigent Robin Ticciati dazu ein, sich im virtuellen Raum zu Berlins größtem Spontanorchester mit Chor zusammenzufinden. Read More →

Die Bayerische Staatsregierung hat die Unterstützung eines Forschungsprojekts zur Aerosolverbreitung durch Chorgesang und Blasinstrumente mit 120.000 Euro zugesagt. Gerade Sänger sowie Bläser treffen die notwendigen Abstands- und Hygienemaßnahmen aufgrund der Verbreitung des Corona-Viruses hart. Read More →

Mariinsky
Photo: Natasha Le-Bel

Several artists of the Bolshoi and Mariinsky Theaters in Moscow and St. Petersburg were quarantined for testing positive to coronavirus. This was reported by Russian media. Read More →

Paul Smaczny & Martin Hoffmeister

Paul Smaczny from the Leipzig based label Accentus was presented the ICMA trophy for the winning video production ‘Gidon Kremer – Finding your own voice’. The trophy was presented by ICMA Jury and Board member Martin Hoffmeister (MDR Klassik). Paul Smaczny said:  » Both Gidon Kremer and I as musician and producer are incredibly happy about this prestigious award. Had the gala and award ceremony in Seville not been cancelled due to the coronavirus, Gidon and I would have been there without question. Read More →