“Jenkins captivated her listeners because she presented music not as lessons but as play. A charismatic performer whose accompaniment often consisted of only a baritone ukulele and some percussion, she encouraged her young audiences not to sit still but to get up and move.” - The New York Times
"The history of horror scores is a long, winding path (that leads to an old abandoned shed stocked with rusty hatchets), with legends of the form and shadowy figures that lurk around the edges of the frame." Michael Andor Brodeur selects "the most killer composers in film history." - The Washington Post (MSN)
The ensemble operates out of cramped offices in St. Petersburg and has no fixed rehearsal space; now the CEO has proposed a new building to solve that problem, and he says he has private funding lined up. (The orchestra will continue to perform in St. Petersburg, Tampa, and Clearwater.) - St. Pete Catalyst
“People living in regional Australia recognise the positive impact of the arts on wellbeing, social cohesion and the economic opportunities created through tourism. However, artists based in regional and remote areas are still adversely impacted by their location.” - ArtsHub
The CSO says that "the new agreement provides salary increases of 23% over the life of the contract, more flexible scheduling,” and “industry-leading audition and tenure practices” that will be clearly committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. - CityBeat
The original version, about a Black baby girl found drifting in a basket along a river, premiered off-Broadway in 2006 and was a Pulitzer Prize finalist. Though she herself is a singer-songwriter and actor, Davis "had no designs on making an opera" — until composer Nathaniel Stookey approached her. - San Francisco Chronicle (MSN)
John Mangum, 49, has no professional experience in opera, but he has spent a career in artistic administration at the Los Angeles and New York Philharmonics, the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, and the San Francisco Symphony. He became CEO of the Houston Symphony in 2018. - Chicago Sun-Times
Hannah Kendall knew, when she read Schumann’s letters about his struggles with depression, that her next piece would be a response to him, and help listeners hear not only her own sound but his Second Symphony in a new way. - The New York Times
"I was very dehydrated. … I didn’t strike him too hard. I did nonetheless cuff or biff a young singer. … There is no excuse. Provocation yes, but not an excuse. … There has to be a degree of forgiveness and tolerance." Not entirely convinced? Neither is the interviewer. - Financial Times
In the face of these vast geopolitical movements, and accompanying humanitarian catastrophe, you can’t help but consider the purpose and the impact of cultural interventions such as ours. But everywhere we visit provides some different form of inspiration. - The Guardian
The broadcaster will replace the 2025 edition of the biennial event, which has a history of discovering major opera stars, with a gala concert featuring previous winners and competitors. The stated reason is that the usual venue, St. David's Hall, is under repairs, though there are other venues in Cardiff. - BBC
As the orchestra prepares, with new music director Jeffrey Kahane on the podium, to begin its third and most ambitious season, a struggle has broken out among the Board of Directors, with members apparently trying to replace each other for reasons as yet unclear. - San Antonio Report
There is a fundamental disconnect between what feels popular and what is statistically popular, which has contributed to this weird tension among pop fans. - The Guardian
“For those who choose to sing in dementia-inclusive choirs, numerous studies have found substantial improvements in communication, mood, wellbeing and quality of life.” - The Guardian (UK)
