Magali Rousseau, who acted as Director General since 2016, quits the Orchestre da la Suisse Romande. The presse release says: « The Foundation Board of the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, SRO Music and Artistic Director Jonathan Nott, and Magali Rousseau, SRO Director General, have decided, by mutual agreement and after careful consideration, not to continue their collaboration at the end of the current season. After three seasons of intense and productive collaboration, this decision follows differences of opinion regarding the SRO’s long-term artistic vision and development strategy. » Read More →

Antonio Pappano
Photo: Musacchio & Ianniello

Antonio Pappano has renewed his contract as Music Director of the Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia in Rome until December 2023. The 59-year-old British conductor is in the position since 2005. He has been Music Director of the Royal Opera House Covent Garden since 2002.

Gundula Janowitz
(c) Unitel

Die österreichische Sopranistin Gundula Janowitz ist die achte Preisträgerin der Hugo-Wolf-Medaille. Mit ihr wird eine Künstlerin geehrt,  die ihre mehr als 30 Jahre dauernde, glanzvolle Opernkarriere unter die Leitsterne W. A. Mozart, Richard Wagner und Richard Strauss stellte – sich aber parallel und mit mindestens gleicher Leidenschaft für die Gattung Lied stark machte. Read More →

Sebastian Schwartz, German, artistic director of the Vienna Chamber Opera until 2016, will be the new superintendent of the Teatro Regio in Turin. He was chosen by the board of directors for the succession to William Graziosi. It is now up to the Minister of Culture, Alberto Bonisoli, to ratify the appointment. Read More →

Die Semperoper in Dresden trauert um ihr langjähriges Ensemblemitglied Tom Martinsen. Der Norweger starb am Donnerstag im Alter von 62 Jahren. „Die Semperoper Dresden ist erschüttert über den plötzlichen Tod ihres hoch geschätzten Kollegen Tom Martinsen und wird ihm als verdientes Mitglied ihres Ensembles ein respektvolles und ehrendes Andenken bewahren“, teilte die Sächsische Staatsoper heute mit. Read More →

Michael Tilson Thomas
Photo: SFS

In recognition of a career of visionary leadership, and on the occasion of his 25th and final year as Music Director of the San Francisco Symphony, conductor, composer, and educator Michael Tilson Thomas has been announced as a recipient of the 2019 Kennedy Center Honors for lifetime artistic achievements. Read More →

25-year-old Venezuelan clarinettist Karen Palacios was released on Tuesday, after a month and a half of detention for criticism of the government published on the Internet. Apparently she was in a cell with two beds, but with nine other inmates. Now she is free, but still under police surveillance. She is not allowed any statement in the media or on social networks.

Based in Washington’s suburb North Bethesda, Maryland, the National Philharmonic announced plans to close permanently. “It is with great sadness that I must report that the National Philharmonic has to shut its doors,” said the orchestra’s president Leanne Ferfolia in a press release. Read More →

An audit of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s finances shows “substantial uncertainty” about the organization’s ability to continue operating, the Orchestra stated. The audit says that the orchestra is in such a grave financial situation that neither the legislated cash infusion from the state nor the reduced expense of a shortened season might be enough to save it. The orchestra and its musicians are in the midst of negotiating a new contract, without having reached an agreement that addresses the financial issues.

Fabio Luisi

Following the resignation of General Manager Christiano Chiorat, conductor Fabio Luisi quits as Music Director of the Maggio Fiorentino: the announcement was made in a letter to the mayor Dario Nardella and to Cristiano Chiarot, then spread to employees. Luisi announces the decision « with a feeling of extreme discomfort and great sorrow » and speaks of « incomprehensible strategic choices of the last few days ». Clearly, the conductor points at the politicians who want to gain power in the management.