The Guardian

Maestro Verdi, your Art must not die

He gives music to the emotions … tenor Rolando Villazón on singing and listening to Verdi in his bicentennial year.

The Telegraph

Classical musicians demand ‘sport star tax breaks’ from George Osborne

The Chancellor should stop discriminating against visiting foreign musicians and artists by denying them tax breaks which are offered to top foreign footballers and athletes, leaders of Britain’s biggest orchestras say today.

The Times

Magdalena Kozená: Simon Rattle’s wife on singing with the enemy

Kozená is about to do something few singers are privileged to do: give a recital at the Staatsoper accompanied on the piano by Barenboim.

Classic FM

Alison Balsom to receive prestigious Silver Clef Award

Classical trumpeter Alison Balsom will receive the PPL Classical Award at this year’s Nordoff Robbins O2 Silver Clef Awards.

Gramophone

LSO to perform two tribute concerts for Sir Colin Davis

The London Symphony Orchestra honours its former president and principal conductor on June 16 and 18.

Digital Journal

Pushing Toronto Opera Audiences Into New Territory

Alexander Neef, General Director of the Canadian Opera Company, recently announced the company’s 2013-2014 season. It expresses not only a vision for the COC, but of opera’s role in the cultural fabric of Canada’s largest city.

The Guardian

(Written on May 7, 2013 )

The Guardian

Magdalena Kožená: ‘I’m not scared of the big maestro’

What’s it like to sing Carmen when your husband is the conductor? Magdalena Kožená reveals all.

The NY Times

A Deadly Night in the Boxing Ring is Grist for an Evening at the Opera

The jazz trumpeter, band leader and composer Terence Blanchard is composing an opera based on Griffith’s life called “Champion,” with a libretto by the playwright Michael Cristofer.

ArtsJournal – Slipped disc

La Scala’s 1960s Butterfly has died

Maria Bieshu, the Moladvaian soprano who commanded the Scala stage and many others as Madam Butterfly, died today at the age of 76.

Bach’s hometown ensemble is saved

We’re hearing from the concertmaster in Eisenach that two million Euros have miraculously been found to save the theatre from instant closure

Gramophone

Echoes of the Quartet for the End of Time

A new work commissioned by the Gryphon trio takes inspiration from Messiaen’s wartime work.

Reflecting Olympian ideals in music

This year’s Lufthansa Festival of Baroque Music takes as its theme the great sporting event.

Simon Halsey named chorus director of LSO and chorus

Conductor takes up the role in August 2012.

(Written on May 17, 2012 )