The Czech conductor seems to think he's found the ideal spot. "Opera is kind of a pinnacle of what is possible to achieve in music. But it’s a genre which, in practice, demands an incredible amount of compromise. Covent Garden is a fantastic exception." - The New York Times
As the storied competition unfolds this month for the first time since Russia invaded Ukraine and became a pariah in the West, it is struggling to live up to its reputation. - The New York Times
We're not talking valveless Baroque trumpets or 16th-century sacbuts, mind you, but several of the CSO's musicians are serious collectors of trumpets and trombones from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. And yes, they do use them in CSO concerts, and they do make a real difference. - Chicago Tribune
The study, which enrolled 192, is part of a growing body of research that points to the physical and mental health benefits of singing with others. Sing With Us linked singing in the choir to reduced stress hormones and increased cytokines, proteins that can boost the body’s ability to fight serious illness. - Washington Post
The new chief of the orchestra — formed last year by the musicians of the defunct San Antonio Symphony — is Roberto Treviño, a former city councilman who was on the SA Phil's first board of directors and had served on a city-county task force trying to save the Symphony. - San Antonio Report
The response was overwhelmingly positive, with a common refrain of, “It’s about time!” One patron was grateful to move around and said that sitting for long periods “gives his back fits.” Another patron brought her adult autistic son to McCaw Hall for the first time, having waited decades to do so. - Seattle Times
"The science behind the phenomenon is still poorly understood, but it is such a noticeable and common occurrence that it has become something of a truism in opera: After childbirth, the voice seems enriched with warmth, creaminess and depth of color." If only that were all … - The New York Times
"The new study used 24 subjects who were advanced piano and vocal students (in) Vienna. The researchers specifically wanted to look at how musicians' head movements related to the phrasing of the piece, and how those movements related to the musician's empathy profile." - Ludwig Van
"There’s no getting around it. I’ve been covering this company since 1985, and in all that time there’s never been a season in which so much ambition has been paired with such a high level of execution." - San Francisco Chronicle
Composer Matthew Aucoin: "What's healthy about the kind of aesthetic ecosystem that Yannick is nurturing is that it relieves the pressure on every piece to be a singular masterpiece in the same tradition. … You've got to write the bad operas to get to the good ones. Verdi knew that." - AP
"In addition, Ken McConnell, who served as the company's general director and CEO since 2018, has resigned. Aaron Beck, a longtime Tulsa Opera staff member who took over as artistic director in 2022 following the departure of Tobias Picker, has been named the interim general director." - Tulsa World
"The heart of salsa - the fast-tempo, horn-heavy music and its hip-swinging dance style - has beat loudly and strongly in New York for decades. ... Now the city is home to the first museum dedicated to the music that traces its roots to Africa." - NPR
"Under the name Johnny Williams, he gradually transitioned, as he put it, 'from the piano bench to the writing desk,' composing several light, jazzy scores for comedies. How to Steal a Million, an art-heist caper starring Audrey Hepburn, was an early high point." - The New York Times
But ... "why are so many blockbuster films and some of television’s most adventurous shows addicted to cringey song choices? The unlikely answer might be found at the 1995 Oscars." - Variety
What is going on at the behemoth? (And could regulators perhaps have foreseen some issues?) "The catalog is believed to include music from such films as Purple Rain, Evita, Sweeney Todd, Rent several Batman films and many more titles." - Variety
