The New York Times (via musicalchairs.info) 

Wolfgang Sawallisch, Conductor, Dies at 89

Wolfgang Sawallisch, one of the last of the old-school German conductors, who led the Philadelphia Orchestra for nearly a decade and the Bavarian State Opera in Munich for two decades before that, died on Friday at his home in Grassau, Germany. He was 89.

7 News Melbourne (via musicalchairs.info)

FORMER ENGLISH BALLET BOSS TO HEAD OPERA AUSTRALIA

Opera Australia has appointed Craig Hassall as its new chief executive officer after a four-month international search.

San Francisco Chronicle (via musicalchairs.info)

S.F. Symphony oboist has stroke onstage

William Bennett, the San Francisco Symphony’s principal oboist, suffered a cerebral hemorrhage on Saturday night, midway through a performance of Richard Strauss’ Oboe Concerto.

Classic FM

Cute animal choral video is viral hit

Choral music and a video of fluffy animals? What’s not to like? ‘The 9 Cutest Things That Ever Happened’ has received more than 1.2 million views on YouTube in two weeks, dividing opinion among audiences.

Classical Source

Kolsimcha Launch Kickstarter Project To Record With The LSO

One of the great bands in contemporary Klezmer music, Kolsimcha, has launched a project to raise £56,000 via the crowd funding site Kickstarter. The aim of the project is to record a new CD at Abbey Road with the LSO. They have until April 8 to raise the money. If they make it, they get the money, if not the project is void.

The L.A. Times

A Wagner ‘Ring’ that’s sustainably powered

A river and a dragon shaped by writhing performers. A budget nearly one-eighth of L.A.’s In Munich, the beast is inventively and economically tackled.

Gramophone