Here’s one that hasn’t yet been banned by the BBC

The Mayrische Musikalienhandlung, which has sold books and sheet music on Salzburg’s Theatergasse since 1592, is closing down next month. It was latterly owned by Universal Edition in Vienna.

Local orchestras are gutted. Salzburg Camerata’s chief Shane Woodborne says: ‘It’s about specialist knowledge. There is a lot that cannot be found on the internet. If we need unknown or lost works, then the expertise of the Mayrische Musikalienhandlung is extremely valuable.’

A quiet afternoon on BBC Television.

The Czech-German pianist Josef Bulva who twice overcame career-ending accidents, has died at his home in Monaco.

A rising star among the Czechs he left the country in 1966 after a long period in hospital following an accident.

Rebulding his career in Germany, he was acclaimed by Joachim Kaiser as the ‘pianist of the scientific age.

In 1996 he fell on ice and injured his left hand so badly it was feared he would never play again. He made a comeback in 2009, releasing his last CD only this month.

More here.

Here’s the latest from our mole at the sickening Mariinsky:

The entire ballet corps were put on sick leave/ quarantine on August 14 retroactive to August 10. They are due back at work today.

There are sick people in the orchestra who are listed as being on vacation. The musicians are told to keep silent about Covid. One complained to the theatre doctor that he felt really ill and was told to go back to rehearsals.

One doctor’s clinic in St Petersburg lists 38 positive cases from Mariinsky alone.

Where else can you hear Rule, Britannia nowadays?

Your favourite?

Giannis Poulopoulos, reckoned to be the fourth biggest-selling Greek singer of all time, has died of heart problems.

He was renowned in the songs of Theodorakis which he toured globally to audiences of the Greek disapora.

The Alte Oper in Frankfurt will resume concerts in September after a 6-month Covid break.

The audience has been reduced to 600. Among early attractions are Valery Gergiev with the Munich Philharmonic.

The Hamburg Symphony is playing all over town in parks and gardens until its hall is ready for occupation next month.

Germany is getting back to business. Britain and the US are not.

The latest Covid rules on the Staatsoper website require operagoers not to shout ‘bravo’ after a thrilling aria for fear of spreading virus-bearing aerosols.

‘As difficult as it is: Refrain from shouts of bravo,’ says the instruction. Just clap louder, it advises. And do not remove your mask.

We are sure there will be some boos.