Christian Thielemann
(c) Deutsche Grammophon

Zum Nachfolger des verstorbenen Dirigenten Kurt Masur als Schirmherr des Internationalen Instrumentalwettbewerbes Markneukirchen haben die Organisatoren Christian Thielemann gewinnen können. Der nächste Wettbewerb findet vom 19.-28. Mai in den Fächern Horn und Tuba statt.

Cecilia Bartoli
(c) Ulli Weber/Decca

The Polar Music Prize 2016, worth 105.000 Euros (SEK 1 million), is awarded to mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli. The Jury says: « With a vocal range of three octaves and a unique ability to live a role with fullness of expression, Cecilia Bartoli has developed song as an art form. Read More →

Peter Oundjian
(c) Sian Richards

Peter Oundjian (60) has announced that he will not renew his contract as Music Director of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra after 2017-18. He is at this post since 2004. Oundjian is also principal conductor of the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Yale Philharmonia.

The Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris has announced that General Manager director Jean-Luc Choplin will leave the institution in April 2017, when the theatre will close for renovation. He has been appointed in 2004 by the Mayor of Paris, Bertrand Delanoe. The Châtelet will enter a long period of work from April 2017 until 2019.

ICMA Young Artist of the Year 2015 communicated today: « And finally it’s official: My new friend and a partner in crime is the golden period Stradivari 1709. » The precious instrument is on a loan by the Goh Family Foundation. A great opportunity for the extremely talented young musician!

Die Münze Österreich hat einen neuen ‘Wiener Philharmoniker’ aus Platin ausgeben – der jüngste Neuzugang zu dieser international angesehenen Münzreihe. Die Münze wurde auf der ‘World Money Fair’ in Berlin vorgestellt und ist die erste von der Münze Österreich herausgegebene Platinedition. Read More →

Placido Domingo, opera singer, conductor, founder of Operalia World Opera Competition and General Director of Los Angeles Opera was awarded Doctor Honoris Causa by the Senate of the University of Pécs, Hungary, on 7 February, 2016. Read More →

Felicity Lott

What a delightful, delicious and unforgettable evening with French libertine poetry, lasciviously recited by Alain Carré and, above all, a collection of frivolous songs performed by Dame Felicity Lott, winner of the ICMA Lifetime Achievement Award 2016. Read More →

In 1783, Chevalier de Saint-Georges founded in Paris his orchestra Le Concert de La Loge Olympique, which became one of the best in Europe and is known for having commissioned several Haydn symphonies. Now, the French Olympic Committee has won a legal battle against violinist Julien Chauvin, who created in 2015 a revival orchestra also called Le Concert de la Loge Olympique. Read More →

Gennady Rozhdestvensky

Some weeks ago Russian conductor Gennady Rozhdestvensky cancelled in Dresden after he fall on his way to the concert hall. The 84 years old conductor recovered with high speed and is now able to step in in Chicago for CSO Music Director Riccardo Muti, who had to withdraw from his February concerts due to recovery from a hip operation. He broke the hip when he fall in his house in Ravenna.