John McWhorter: “Sitting through a three-or-more-hour performance in a language we don’t understand is a peculiar cultural phenomenon, ... and it’s a big part of what keeps opera from reaching more people. ... The composers of yore had their works translated ... because they wanted audiences to understand what they were hearing." - The New York Times
The orchestra unveiled details of its three-year comprehensive campaign in April 2024, after having already quietly raised $41 million since 2022. As of Wednesday, the campaign exceeded its goal, raising $50.1 million — marking the largest fundraising effort in the CSO’s 93-year history. - Charlotte Observer
“After the close of the season in October, the Mann will begin the work of creating a roomier campus (in Fairmount Park) and constructing new or expanded structures wrought in a nature-inspired wood and stone aesthetic. … Construction is expected to be finished for a reopening in May of 2026.” - The Philadelphia Inquirer (MSN)
They are as propulsive and viscerally affecting as Arthur Miller plays, but those who haven’t heard them often think they’re esoteric, strictly for connoisseurs. Nothing could be further from the truth. - The New York Times
The teenaged Benjamin Appl was Fischer-Dieskau’s last private student, working with the baritone for three years until his death in 2012. Here Appl recalls what made Fischer-Dieskau’s singing unique, what studying with him was like, and some of his late-life emotional torment. - The New York Times
You probably expect that this $30 million instrument is either a huge pipe organ or a Stradivarius violin or (perhaps) cello. It is indeed a Strad, but it is a viola — the Tuscan-Medici viola, housed at the Library of Congress. Curtis Institute president Roberto Díaz has played it numerous times. - The Philadelphia Inquirer (MSN)
“There is the distinct possibility that this skill will go from viable to critically endangered, and thus be added to the next edition of the red list,” said Daniel Carpenter, executive director of the the Heritage Crafts Association. - The Guardian
In order to “thoughtfully match artists and their work with venues that best serve the art, the audience, and the moment,” Washington Performing Arts — which presents performances by touring musicians such as Yo-Yo Ma, Igor Levit, and the Chicago Symphony — will offer concerts it would have held at the Kennedy Center elsewhere. - Washingtonian
The countertenor/company director allows as how yes, ticket revenue under the policy fell from 8% to 4% of the company’s budget — and then he runs through the ways in which the policy has brought newcomers to try out an art form which the wider world sees as elitist and uninteresting. - Broad Street Review (Philadelphia)
“Musicians relate calling in sick, among other things, when van Zweden conducts their orchestra. Others turn to tranquilizers such as beta-blockers.” Six former orchestra managers said they knew informally of complaints about his behavior but that those concerns rarely reached top decision-makers. - Pointer (Netherlands)
“Especially for a festival like ours, it is such a pity — they did this in the past — that you do a production for two times and then it’s over,” he said. “This is an artistic waste and economic waste.” - The New York Times
Mezzo-soprano Susan Graham: “It’s like a working vacation, and many of us call it opera camp. I feel like the place itself is magic and the opera company optimizes that.” - The New York Times
Joel Link, the quartet’s first violinist, starts in Cleveland this fall. What’s more, the quartet’s violist, Julianne Lee, is returning to her previous job as assistant principal second violin at the Boston Symphony. Yet the Dover Quartet will stay together as is, scheduling its performances around members’ other commitments. - The Strad
The choice is Yaniv Dinur, currently music director of the New Bedford Symphony in Massachusetts (a job he’ll keep) and formerly resident conductor of the Milwaukee Symphony (2015-2023). - Tallahassee Democrat
“So it was that an old Broadway hand changed television forever by injecting a bit of kitchen-sink realism into the opening credits of a sitcom, of all things. You were solidly hooked.” - Washington Post (Yahoo)
