A unique gift has enable the orch to offer 15,000 free tickets on Cleveland Foundation Day.

Read on:

On July 20, up to 15,000 Northeast Ohioans will be able to enjoy The Cleveland Orchestra concert featuring the music of Weber, Mozart and Shostakovich while sitting on the Blossom Music Center lawn — for free.

Tickets are required to attend the concert. The public will be able to reserve free lawn tickets through the Cleveland Foundation’s website starting Monday, July 7, at 10 a.m. at www.clevelandfoundation.org/orchestra.

With each of up to 5,000 free adult lawn tickets reserved, two additional free tickets for children 17 and under can also be reserved through the Orchestra’s Under 18s Free program for families. Ticketing through the foundation’s website will remain open until all lawn tickets have been reserved for the concert.

The Japanese-American violinist is expecting a baby.

Midori, 42, has cancelled a performance this month with the New York Philharmonic. A statement said she ‘has been advised by her physicians to curtail work and travel for a brief period due to complications of pregnancy.’

We hope she’s well and are delighted for her.

When I met the great mezzo for a BBC Lebrecht Interview in 2008 (not presently available on line), I was struck by how comfortable she was – in herself, her relationship, her past, her place in the world – while remaining full of ambition, energy and an urge to improve the world of singing.

Two of her comments are analysed here.

Brigitte is 75 today.

May she live to 100.

Matching the Berlin Staatsoper’s record season, the Komische Oper has announced a huge increase in attendance – up to 85% capacity from 75 last year, and more than 30,000 extra tickets sold.

The Komische, led by the Australian director Barry Kosky, was named opera house of the year by the magazine Opernwelt.

Opera is on a roll.

Job offer:

The Royal Opera House produces some of the best opera and ballet in the world, in one of London’s most iconic buildings. We are currently seeking part-time Ushers to work at performances and events during the evening and daytime, providing first-class customer service and ensuring the safety and security of customers and visitors.

Description

£8.80 per hour, permanent contract – from 2 September 2014

Part-time (either three or six shifts per week, each shift a minimum of four hours)

Successful candidates will be able to demonstrate the following:

• Previous experience of working with the public in the provision of a service.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Positive and highly-motivated, with the ability to work pro-actively and flexibly in a friendly, enthusiastic and helpful manner with a wide range of people.
• The ability to accurately handle money and stock, with strong mental arithmetic.
• Good clear, English language and strong communication skills, including the ability to understand and respond to written and spoken instructions and briefings.
• The ability to work calmly and efficiently under pressure.

An interest in theatre would be an advantage but is not essential. Please note that this work involves some lifting and manual handling and requires the ability to work at height and stand or sit for long periods of time. First Aid skills would also be an advantage.

You must be available to work Saturdays and evenings, be able to start work week beginning 1 September 2014, be available to work over the Christmas period and commit to work for us for at least six months. Please indicate in your application whether you wish to work three or six shifts per week.

Information on how to apply for this position is available on our website www.roh.org.uk. If you have any queries regarding the recruitment process please email hr.recruitment@roh.org.uk or call 020 7212 9124.

Closing date for applications is 10am on Monday 7th July 2014.

Mention Slipped Disc in your application.

We have been notified of the death of Kay Hurwitz, widow of the effulgent violinist Emanuel Hurwitz and herself a formidable force in strings education across Europe well into her 80s.

Kay was a formidable viola player and chamber musician who developed her interests away from her husband’s high profile as leader (concertmaster) of the English Chamber Orchestra and Otto Klemperer’s Philharmonia. Both were regulars at Aldeburgh, where Britten relied on Manny for advice on strings technique. Kay played in the Melos Ensemble, under Manny’s leadership.

She encouraged Elspeth Iliff, her former au pair, to found the European Strings Teachers Association (ESTA), and herself set up Youth Music in Hampstead and various summer schools. Many careers began in her teaching studio.

Kay is survived by a son and a daughter.

Do share your memories of this wonderful woman and couple.