The Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) has made a $12 million deficit in 2015. Facing this loss, the orchestra has developed a plan to ease the financial pressure by selling one of its more valuable assets: a viola (apparently, the 1703 Amati used by TSO principal violist Teng Li). In fact, this is not a sale to a third person, but a transfer of the instrument to the Toronto Symphony Foundation, a separate non-profit organisation which controls the orchestra’s endowment, in exchange for $4 million, which is equal to the instrument’s most recent valuation. This make-up could help to bring the financial figures in a better shape.
Gewandhaus in Zwickau
Das aus dem 16. Jahrhundert stammende Gewandhaus in Zwickau, das seit 1823 als Städtisches Theater für Oper, Ballett, Konzerte und Schauspiel genutzt wird, muss wegen Renovierungsarbeiten für mindestens zwei Jahre geschlossen werden. Dem Theater stehen ab der kommenden Spielzeit sieben Ersatzspielstätten in der Stadt zur Verfügung.
Der Universitätsrat der Universität Mozarteum Salzburg und Rektor Siegfried Mauser haben sich darauf verständigt, das Dienstverhältnis zwischen dem Mozarteum und Prof. Mauser einvernehmlich per 30.6.2016 aufzulösen. Read More →
The delegates of the 21th FIM Congress in Reykjavik a have re-elected John Smith (United Kingdom) President of the International Federation of Musicians.
Vladimir Putin has awarded his loyal friend Valery Gergiev with the Russian State Prize for Outstanding Humanitarian Achievements. Valery Gergiev recently conducted the Mariinsky Theatre Orchestra in the Syrian city of Palmyra, an event which, according to Putin « caused an unprecedented emotional response around the world ».
Vienna Philharmonic's Refugee house
The Philharmonic Refugee House in St. Aegyd, an initiative of the Vienna Philharmonic, has been officially opened. The house has three apartments as well as a large meeting room « in which also the local population is invited to seek contact with the families of the house ». Read More →
Soprano Andrea Anelli, founder and co-director of Opera Per Tutti, rebranded in Cleveland Opera Theater in 2014, has resigned, citing an untenable situation at the company. The board of directors has appointed Scott Skiba, the company’s artistic director, to succeed her with the new title of executive artistic director.
The Baroque Youth Orchestra of Andalusia has cancelled all the concerts for this year due to the lack of finances. The 25 musicians are thinking about a protest concert to draw attention to their situation.
Ulf Schirmer
(c) Oper Leipzig / K.Nijhof
Ulf Schirmer, der seit 2011 Intendant der Oper Leipzig ist, blickt stolz auf seine erste Amtszeit zurück, in der die Besucherzahlen von 154.516 (2011/12) auf 175.300 (2015/16) gesteigert wurden. Für 2016 werden 182.000 Besucher erwartet. Read More →
The police in Moscow has arrested a 23-year-old trumpeter, who is accused for having vandalized no less than 100 escalators in the subway of the Russian capital. The young man is a student at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory.
