BACKThe Telegraph
Damon Albarn interview: the magic and mystery of Dr Dee
Damon Albarn and Rufus Norris have let the subject of their opera Dr Dee – part of London 2012 Festival – become an obsession, says Shakespeare scholar Jonathan Bate.
How Ivor Novello’s songs may become old friends to his listeners
Ivor Novello gave much pleasure to millions, but why has he been forgotten?
El Sistema and Gustavo Dudamel: rescuing children with music
As Gustavo Dudamel’s Simon Bolivar Orchestra helps launch London 20120 Festival, Ivan Hewett travels to Venezuela to witness the music system of El Sistema that produced it – and helps to save children from lives of violence and crime.
El Sistema timeline: from a Caracas garage to the Albert Hall
The history of El Sistema, the Venezuelan musical education programme which has produced the Simon Bolivar Orchestra.
BBC Music Magazine
All BBC orchestras and BBC Singers to stay open
Newly published report recommends all ensembles continue but with ‘substantial savings’.
The Guardian
Dudamel’s heroic Beethoven challenge
Beethoven’s third symphony – the Eroica – is an exposing piece for any orchestra. Will the newly matured Simon Bolivar Symphony Orchestra make the grade?
LA Times
Gustavo Dudamel in talks to compose score for Simon Bolivar film
Conductor Gustavo Dudamel is expected to lend his musical talent to a new movie about the life of Simón Bolívar.
Gramophone
Takacs Quartet, Sir Mark Elder, Andrew Litton and Rachel Podger
The latest edition of the Gramophone Podcast is now online.
Arts Journal – Slipped Disc
US orch hires new music director after 25 years
The Illinois Philharmonic played happily for more than two decades with Carmen DeLeone, who retired last year.
Criticising the critics: Only one UK newspaper reviews Youtube’s hottest pianist
Somehow none of London’s critical pack found time to attend Valentina Lisitsa’s groundbreaking debut at the Royal Albert Hall.
The saga of who runs opera in one of Germany’s biggest cities – and whether there will be any opera at all next year – took an upturn last night when the city fired the opera intendant, Uwe Eric Laufenberg.
NY Times
Late-Night Drinks With a Pianist
David Greilsammer, known for his inventive programs of piano works, will play one of the late-night concerts at the Mostly Mozart Festival.
