Bayreuth, Festspielhaus

Der langjährige Chorleiter der Bayreuther Festspiele, Eberhard Friedrich, 66, hat kurz vor Erreichen des Rentenalters im Jahre 2025 seine Kündigung eingereicht. Laut Medienberichten sei er in großer Sorge, dass der Festspielchor durch die angekündigten Kürzungen unter Qualitätsminderungen leiden könne. Read More →

Leo McFall
(c) Ronald Knapp

Seit der Saison 2020/21 ist Leo McFall Chefdirigent des Symphonieorchesters Vorarlberg. Noch vor dem offiziellen Vertragsende im kommenden Jahr verlängert der 43-jährige Londoner sein Engagement bis 2030. Read More →

The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra announced that it has reached a new, three-year agreement with its unionized musicians. The new contract, which includes a 12.6% raise in base salary over the course of the agreement, takes effect on Sept. 2 while the orchestra is on tour in Europe Read More →

Der Freischütz
@ Anja Koehler

Mit rund 274.000 Besuchern endete am Sonntagabend die 78. Bregenzer Festspielsaison. Innerhalb von fünf Wochen standen mehr als 80 Veranstaltungen auf dem Spielplan des Sommerfestivals am Bodensee. Philipp Stölzls Inszenierung von Der Freischütz auf der Seebühne sahen 198.655 Besucher in 28 Vorstellungen. Die Auslastung betrug 100 Prozent. Read More →

Opera Europa, the professional organization of opera houses end festivals in Europe, has issued a statement expressing its concerns about the dismissal of Matej Drlička as General Manager of the Slovak National Theatre. The decision was taken by Slovakia’s culture minister, Martina Šimkovičová who also fired other directors from their position in cultural organizations. Read More →

Robert Jindra

Czech conductor Robert Jindra, 47, resigned from his position as Music Director of the Kosice State Philharmonic. This resignation comes just several days after Jindra’s criticism of Culture Minister Martina Šimkovičová. Read More →

Leonhard Baumgartner
(c) Andrej Grilc

Austrian violinist Leonhard Baumgartner won the Eurovision Young Musicians 2024 competition on Saturday evening in the northern Norwegian town of Bodø. He played the first movement of Henri Vieuxtemps’ Violin Concerto No. 5. Second place went to the Swede Hugo Svedberg, followed by Fabian Egger from Germany. Read More →

The San Francisco Symphony is planning an expensive renovation of Davies Symphony Hall, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. The plan is to expand the concert hall’s ground floor and to add a recital hall. A complete makeover of the auditorium is planned as well. The cost could top $100 million.

The Melbourne Symphony, which had cancellede a performance by pianist Jayson Gillham because of his anti-Israeli remarks made during a concert, was heavily criticized by pro-Palestinian activists. Read More →

Moritzburg Festival
(c) Oliver Killig

Nun schon zum 32. Mal findet noch bis zum 18. August das von Jan Vogler initiierte und geleitete Kammermusikfestival Moritzburg vor den Toren Dresdens statt. Es zieht Künstler aus aller Welt an: junge, hoffnungsvolle neue und gestandene Wiederholungstäter, die immer wieder kommen wollen und sich zu ständig neuen Besetzungen in den einzelnen Werken vermischen. Michael Oehme berichtet. Read More →