A new tax will hit U.K. orchestras from April 1, the newspaper Politico says. The orchestras crossing the Channel to play concerts in Europe will no longer be able to claim tax relief on those performances as they are currently allowed to do. The U.K. government is making the change to bring Britain into line with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules – required because of the U.K.’s exit from the EU single market. Here is the Politico article: https://www.politico.eu/article/brexit-uk-orchestras-touring-tax-hike-eu-eea/

Lawrence Golan

The York Symphony Orchestra (Pennsylvania) has extended its Music Director’s contract. 58-year-old American conductor Lawrence Golan will be in this position for another 10 years! He has agreed to an 8-year contract extension, which takes him to YSO’s 100th season. Read More →

Weil die Stadt Straßburg die Subvention des lokalen Symphonieorchesters um 2,5% gekürzt hat will das Orchester vakant werdende Posten vorläufig nicht besetzen. Read More →

Marin Alsop
Photo: Grant Leighton

Music and Artistic Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin and The Philadelphia Orchestra have announced the appointment of Marin Alsop as Principal Guest Conductor. Her three-year term will begin in the 2024-25 season. In this role, Alsop will lead the Orchestra in multiple subscription concerts, special events, annual summer residencies, and national and international tours, beginning with the Orchestra’s upcoming 2024 tour of China. Read More →

In seinem Geschäftsbericht der Spielzeit 22/23 zeigt das Luzerner Theater, dass sein vielseitiges Programm ein breites Publikum aller Altersgruppen erreichte. Bei einer durchschnittlichen Auslastung von 70 Prozent verzeichnete das Haus mit insgesamt 87 754 Besuchern eine deutliche Steigerung zum Vorjahr (67,73%).

Classeek has announced the opening of the open application for their 2024-25 Ambassador Programme.The  programme addresses instrumentalists or composers between the ages of 18 and 30. Read More →

Composer John White died in London on 4 January 2024. He was born in Berlin in 1936 to an English father and German mother; he arrived in London in 1939. He took piano and theory lessons and began composing at age 19, while still a student at the Royal College of Music. Read More →

CMO announces that their online masterclasses with renowned maestros will be free from now on. After the success of the previous masterclasses with Leonard Slatkin and John Axelrod two new sessions are planned: JoAnn Falletta’s Respighi Masterclass on January 17, 2024 and Frédéric Chaslin’s Puccini Opera Masterclass, in  commemoration of the 2024 Centenary, on February 1, 2024. Read More →

The New Orleans Opera announced the passing of General and Artistic Director Emeritus Robert Lyall, on January 5, 2024 at the age of 75: « With courage, grace and a sense of humor, Maestro Lyall had bravely battled cancer since April 2023, as well as resulting complications in recent weeks. » Read More →

Robert Spano
(c) Atlanta Symphony

American conductor Robert Spano, 63, joins the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra & Music School effective immediately as Principal Conductor. He was unanimously appointed Principal Conductor after making his RIPO debut this past September and working with students at the RI Philharmonic Music School. Read More →