David Bernard
(c) PR

David Bernard, 55, Music Director of the Massapequa Philharmonic, has been awarded First Prize in the Orchestral Conducting competition of The American Prize, professional division 2019, a national competition for conductors. The Jury says: « Conducting from memory, David Bernard exhibits remarkable skill and considerable elan in a vibrant reading of Stravinsky ‘Rite of Spring.’ Not content with a cool, furrowed-brow approach to this music, his interpretation is alive to the nuances of color and, indeed, the dramatic arc, of this legendary masterwork. His is a considerable achievement by any standard. » Read More →

Das Orchester des Nordharzer Städtebundtheaters in Halberstadt (Sachsen-Anhalt) bekommt zum 100-jährigen Bestehen einen neuen Namen. Es werde am 3. Oktober in Harzer Sinfoniker umbenannt, teilte das Theater mit. Read More →

Mark Elder
(c) Hallé Orchestra

British conductor Mark Elder, 72, who already stopped conducting due to pain in his neck in July, will not return to the podium until end of November. The Manchester based orchestra The Hallé, where Elder is Music Director, tweeted that « Following surgery in the middle of August to release a trapped nerve in his neck, and under medical advice, Sir Mark Elder has very reluctantly decided to cancel his forthcoming engagements. This will give him time for the fullest possible recuperation. He will return to the podium Sunday 24 November 2019 to conduct a performance of the Bach B minor Mass with the Hallé. »

Metropolitan Opera New York

Very surprisingly the Spanish singer Placido Domingo withdrew on Tuesday from the Metropolitan Opera’s production of Verdi’s Macbeth and indicated he would not return to the Met. Domingo who took part in the rehearsals had been scheduled to sing the title role in the season premiere of Verdi’s Macbeth on Wednesday night. Read More →

Leonard Slatkin

There was a big mix-up at this year’s Emmy ceremony in Hollywood. In the In Memoriam section the organizer showed a photo of the conductor Leonard Slatkin instead of the one of the late André Previn. Read More →

Thomas Hampson
(c) Kristin Hoebermann

Der amerikanische Bariton Thomas Hampson, 64, erhält den Musikpreis des Heidelberger Frühlings 2020. Die Auszeichnung ist mit 10.000 Euro dotiert und würdigt das jahrzehntelange Engagement des US-amerikanischen Baritons für das Kunstlied. Read More →

Bach-Archiv und Thomanerchor Leipzig präsentieren jetzt Teile der Musikaliensammlung der Thomana online auf Google Arts & Culture, teilte das Bach-Archiv heute mit. Read More →

Vittorio Grigolo

The Royal Opera House in London suspended the Italian tenor Vittorio Grigolo, 42, for an alleged groping during the company’s Japan tour. The ROH stated, “following an alleged incident on September 18 involving Vittorio Grigolo, the Royal Opera House opened an immediate investigation and Mr. Grigolo was suspended.”

Robert & Clara Schumann

Das Theaterorchester Plauen-Zwickau hat einen neuen Namen. Es tritt nun als Clara-Schumann-Philharmoniker Plauen-Zwickau auf, gemäß einem Beschluss des Aufsichtsrats des Theaters. Read More →

Daniel Barenboim
(c) Peter Adamik

Daniel Barenboim (76), Generalmusikdirektor der Staatsoper Unter den Linden in Berlin, wird in diesem Jahr mit dem Konrad-Adenauer-Preis der Stadt Köln geehrt. Damit werde sein Engagement für Frieden und Völkerverständigung gewürdigt, teilte die Stadt mit. Read More →