Biz news: Askonas steps in to seal Yuja deal

Biz news: Askonas steps in to seal Yuja deal

News

norman lebrecht

October 15, 2024

We reported a week ago that Yuja Wang had found a new global agent at Opus3 in NY and Chicago.

Today, Opus3’s UK wing Askonas Holt rounded out the deal.

Here’s what they say:

Yuja Wang signs
general management to
Askonas Holt and Opus 3 Artists

Yuja will be managed by both Donagh Collins, Chief Executive of Askonas Holt and Opus 3 Artists and Phillippa Cole, recently appointed Senior Vice President at Opus 3. Donagh comments, “Yuja is a superstar. She’s an inspirational artist with a dynamic personality, she’s passionate, sensitive and kind. I’ve worked alongside Yuja for over ten years. I’ve always enjoyed being with her, and it’s such a delight that she has decided to join our roster. And I’m so pleased to be working with Phillippa again – and for such a great artist. It’s just like when we worked together for Simon Rattle and Michael Tilson Thomas some years ago…it’s a dream come true!”

Of the partnership, Yuja said, “I wanted to find a management team which will be creative and perceptive, with people who understand and encourage my ambition, overseeing my career whilst remaining attentive to the detail. I’ve known Donagh and Phillippa for many years, and I’m thrilled to work more closely with them both. It’s wonderful to come home to Opus 3 Artists, and to be with Askonas Holt! I can’t wait for this next chapter to begin!”

Comments

  • Philipp Lord Chandos says:

    Senior vice president says it all.

  • J says:

    She’s great, smart, and insane fun to tour with. Also saavy. If she is paying more than 4% I’d be shocked. The young ones cough up 20. The stars simply say no.

  • Michael says:

    It’s YUJA-time!!!

  • Edward says:

    So, Yuja uttered the word “whilst.”

  • PL says:

    good luck to them all

  • Boris says:

    Good catch. “Whilst” is an exclusively British English word, never to be heard across the pond. So whoever wrote that quote, one thing that’s certain is that it wasn’t her! 🙂

    • HSY says:

      Many non-native speakers learn English from reading. Her choice of words is often peculiar, because most of her vocabulary was not learned in a colloquial context or childhood immersion in popular English media products. No reason to assume the passage was written by someone else just because “whilst” was used. Also, here are all the times the New Yorker, an American publication, used “whilst” in its articles: https://www.google.com/search?q=%22whilst%22+site%3Anewyorker.com

    • Bone says:

      Actually, we Americans use “whilst” if we want to sound humorously pretentious.

  • Sanda Schuldmann says:

    She is a phenom—AMAZING! I am so excited to hear her twice this upcoming season here in Cleveland! I wonder how many stop and think about how much one gives up when career and life merge and become one? I am not a fan of slide remarks or negative comments about her attire or the difficulty of representing her. I adore her and marvel at her brilliance. She is a gift to our times! I thank her for who she is and all she does!

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