In a months-long investigation, VAN interviewed nearly 30 students, faculty, and staff at the Cleveland Institute of Music. Many spoke to VAN on condition of anonymity, citing fears of professional retaliation from CIM, and alleging ongoing legal threats by Kalmar. - Van
Streaming revenue was up 10.3 percent from last year — at $7 billion, it accounts for 84 percent of music revenue in the United States. Importantly, the RIAA explicitly notes that revenue from paid subscriptions grew 11 percent to $5.5 billion, but the total number of paid subscriptions only grew 6 percent. - The Verge
"The technology utilizes tiny motors — 16 of them — embedded in the fabric, like those that make cellphones vibrate. … Lyric is the first opera company in the world to offer the technology at live performances." - Chicago Sun-Times
In a statement headlined "Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony Announces Potential Ceasing of Operations," the board chair said, "Despite our persistent efforts over the last year, we have been unable to secure the funding necessary to continue our operations this season." - Ludwig Van
They took a jab at CEO Matias Tarnopolsky, claiming his pay went up by 111% from 2019 to 2022, at the same time they said the musicians took $4.6 million in pay cuts to help the ensemble. - Philadelphia Inquirer
Negotiations began over a year ago, going into formal sessions on Sept. 15, 2022, ahead of the contract’s expiration, with the Musicians Union Local 6 representing the SFS players. But to date, there is nothing known to have been settled, except for health care provisions. - San Francisco Classical Voice
Aiming to rebuild its audience from post-pandemic lows by attracting younger and more diverse ticket-buyers, the company is devoting fully one-third of 18 staged productions to contemporary works. - AP
"The drama currently playing out at the San Carlo Opera House in Naples … has all the elements of high drama — conflict, tension, perhaps even vendetta — and is playing out like a farce, or, in the words of some Italian news outlets, 'un pasticcio': a mess." - The New York Times
The two-year contract includes pay raises, a reduction of one-week in the schedule and a promise to reconsider how auditions for the orchestra are conducted. - Yahoo!
"Shorter concerts (27%), more matinee performances (24%), conductors speaking to the audience (20%) and being encouraged to keep phones on during a performance (11%) – these were just some of the things people would like to see at orchestral concerts, according to a new study." - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (UK)
Hipgnosis admitted that they sold these songs at 17.5% below their estimated “fair market value.” This added to the already widespread suspicion that current claims of song value are inflated. - Honest Broker
The Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony, founded in 1945, abruptly canceled its youth events on Saturday - and then deleted everything off its calendar for 2023-24. - CTV Kitchener
The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra now has built-in students at a new school - and that might help orchestral music stay alive in England. - BBC
In addition to those outside the opera house, "Berlin's mayor, its senator for culture and Ukraine's German ambassador have all criticised the opera for allowing the singer to return to its stage." - BBC
