30Oct

Dallas opera buff is named after scattering human remains at the Met

William Tell was cut short and L’italiana in Algeri cancelled yesterday after a man threw white powder into the orchestra pit during the second intermission, sparking a major security alert at the Met. The man told people around him that he was scattering a friend’s ashes in a well-loved place. He has been named by […]

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30Oct

Third US job for busy German conductor

He was named music director of the Long Beach Symphony two months ago, adding that post to his job in Spokane. Now Eckart Preu, 47, has also been appointed music director of Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra, an ensemble of 32 musicians. He only visited Cincy for the first time last month. Read Janelle Gelfand here.    

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30Oct

Just in: Met cancels tonight’s performance

Following the cutting short of William Tell due to a security alert, tonight’s performance has also been called off. Here’s the official statement: Today’s performance of Guillaume Tell was cancelled during the second intermission because of a disturbance by an audience member, who sprinkled an unidentified powdered substance into the orchestra pit. UPDATED: The company has […]

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29Oct

Sad news: Met bass-baritone has died

Colleagues are sharing their distress at the death yesterday of John Del Carlo, a well-loved American soloist who sang 285 performances at the Metropolitan Opera over the past 23 years. John was 65. John played the title role in Don Pasquale, Dr Bartolo in Il Barbiere di Siviglia , Swallow in Peter Grimes, Quince in A […]

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29Oct

Update: Security alert as Met Opera cancels final act of William Tell

We don’t know the reason yet. A heavy security presence is reported by audience members. Refunds are being offered against future performances of the same opera. We hear from an orchestra player that a man was observed sprinkling a white flaky powder substance from a bag on the timpani, and then the podium. It was […]

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29Oct

French classical guitarist dies, 61

We have been informed that Roland Dyens died today. An international virtuoso, he was also widely known as a composer and teacher. Tribute here.

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29Oct

A fourth US orchestra is heading for a strike

First Fort Worth. Then Pittsburgh. Briefly, Philadelphia. Now the Pacific Symphony is heading for walkout. Here’s the players’ latest bulletin: Santa Ana, California October 26, 2016                           The Musicians of the Pacific Symphony have unanimously rejected the employer’s recent contract offer and reaffirmed the […]

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29Oct

Lufthansa’s new rule: Pay to take your viola on board

Following Lufthansa’s seizure of a viola at Helsinki Airport on Thursday, concertmaster Florian Donderer wrote to the German airline asking for clarification of its viola policy. Here’s what LH tweeted him back: It depends on the Check-in at the Airport, if there is enough space to transport the instrument in cabin, as it … exceeds […]

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29Oct

85% of my quartet work is done without violin in hand

Our weekly diary by Anthea Kreston of the Artemis Quartet: I love being a nerd. Sometimes classical music has this sheen of super-sophistication: lipstick, fur coats, after-concert parties with expensive wines. The reality is that the bulk of my work is done in sweat pants, with a lukewarm cup of stale coffee, a half-eaten piece […]

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29Oct

Top violinist quits management

Janine Jansen, on her website: For the last 12 years, I have enjoyed a very successful and supportive collaboration with HarrisonParrott, which has been an experience of high quality, both professionally and personally.  However, at this stage in my life, I have decided it is more appropriate for me to have a personal manager.  I […]

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29Oct

Devastating fire destroys festival finale

The Royal Clarence Hotel in Exeter, adjacent to the Cathedral, has been ravaged by fire and is expected to collapse at any time. The Royal Clarence was the oldest extant hotel in England, founded in 1769. Liszt played there in 1840. An orchestral concert, closing the Two Moors Festival, was meant to take place tonight […]

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