Kazem Abdullah

Im Herbst 2015 wurde angekündigt, Aachens Generalmusikdirektor Kazem Abdullah werde seinen Vertrag nach einer Amtszeit von fünf Jahren nicht verlängern und im Juli 2017 Aachen verlassen. Damals schien es, als gehe dieser Entschluss vom Dirigenten aus. Read More →

Gustavo Dudamel

After the murder of a young El Sistema musician by the Maduro regime in Venezuela, conductor Gustavo Dudamel has finally clearly condemned the government of his native country. Dudamel, who was criticized for being a follower of the regime, has now taken his own stand. On Facebook he posted a strong message. Read More →

Sad news from France: The Festival of Ile-de-France was closed down today. This decision ends a musical adventure of forty years. Read More →

Die deutsche Sopranistin Agnes Giebel ist im Alter von 95 Jahren in Köln gestorben. Das teilte ihre Tochter Kristina Kanders mit. Giebel starb nach Angaben der Familie bereits am 24. April. Read More →

Venezuelan pianist Gabriela Montero has severely attacked Dudamel’s El Sistema on her Twitter and Facebook pages: « On Monday, Eduardo Mendez (Executive Director of El Sistema) ‘Cachorro’ (Gustavo Dudamel’s right hand man), and other members of El Sistema, were photographed marching FOR Maduro’s regime. Yesterday, Armando Cañizales, a 17 year-old musician from El Sistema in Caracas, was murdered by the very same regime these people were legitimising – and have propagandised for 18 years – just a few days ago. Armando was protesting with the overwhelming majority against the barbarism that is now Venezuela’s reality. My sincere condolences to Armando’s family.

The Cité Musicale of Metz, France, and the Arts Centre of South Korea’s fifth-largest metropolis Daejeon have signed a collaboration agreement. The collaboration will essentially involve the orchestras of both cities. Also common opera productions could be considered. The National Orchestra of Lorraine will tour South Korea in 2018 while two Korean conductors are invited to conduct the ONL in the upcoming season.

Two male dancers of the Canadian Opera Company in Toronto suffered a hate crime attack after a performance, Musical Toronto reports. The attack took place after an opera performance of Louis Riel, a work about the Métis leader and founder of Manitoba composed by Harry Somers. The Musical Toronto article is talking about a homophobia-motivated hate crime.

Bernard Labadie

The New York based chamber ensemble Orchestra of St. Luke’s has announced the appointment of French Canadian conductor Bernard Labadie as its next Principal Conductor, beginning a four-year term in the 2018-19 season. This transition includes a new role at St. Luke’s for sitting principal Pablo Heras-Casado, who will be Conductor Laureate in acknowledgement of his years of leadership. Read More →

Alastair Willis

Alastair Willis has been announced as Music Director of the South Bend Symphony Orchestra. The 46 year-old Seattle based American conductor succeeds Tsung Yeh, who retired in May 2016 after 28 years in the position. Willis’ four-year contract in South Bend (Indiana) takes effect July 1. Read More →

The Jacksonville Symphony President and CEO Robert Massey, apologized for the choice of the word « retiring » when the orchestra informed parents and musicians that the contract of Music Director Scott Gregg has not been renewed. Yet, this is just about text. The orchestra won’t change the decision to end the collaboration with the conductor and ignores the musicians’ petition.