Category: music

These invectives against “political” music seem to stand out more due to our current contentious climate, which may create the impression that there has been an uptick in the number of modern pieces with a political orientation. But the truth is that there has always been a desire on the part of artists to respond to the issues of the moment. – NewMusicBox

Baritone Lucas, who decided to keep singing with her booming, low-voice type after her physical transition rather than trying to retrain her voice to sing soprano or mezzo roles, is rising to the very top of her profession. In May, she became the first trans singer to perform a lead role in a classic operatic work in the U.S. when she starred in “Don Giovanni” with the Tulsa Opera in Oklahoma. In October, she will play a lead role with the English National Opera in London. – KQED

The Orchestre Métropolitain, where native Montrealer YNS held his first music director position (beginning in 2000) and which he brought to international attention, has appointed him Artistic Director and Chief Conductor for life, an extremely rare move in the orchestra world. – Ludwig Van

“After a great deal of reflection,” said Woods in a statement, “I have concluded that my hopes and aspirations lie elsewhere, and as a result, I have tendered my resignation.” He served in the position for less than 21 months, succeeding Deborah Borda at the beginning of 2018. – Los Angeles Times

“Musical malnourishment, with increasing mono-diets and over-consumption of processed, chemically treated/created culture, entails an over-reliance upon intake from manufactured commodities such as loudspeakers, machines, and computers. Thus greater passivity is generated whereby people no longer look to themselves to make music, but simply purchase it via a concert ticket or through a new electronic home entertainment toy.” – NewMusicBox

DiDonato works with inmates at Sing Sing and tours with a project aiming to bring harmony and peace through music. And right now, she’s singing the title role in Agrippina, the scheming wife of the Roman emperor Claudius, with one eye on Robin Wright’s character in House of Cards and Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ Veep and the other on Handel’s “genius.” How does she mix it all? “I’m a musician, a performer, but I’m a citizen. I’m in a privileged position. I understand that. I’m trying to find the right balance.” – The Observer (UK)

The season opener was pushed from September 14 to September 21, though the musicians of the BSO, not under the name of the BSO, played a free concert on opening night at a different venue. The problem with the new opening date? “No further bargaining session have been scheduled, according to Brian Prechtl, co-chairman of the Baltimore Symphony Musicians Player Committee.” – The Baltimore Sun

Here was the situation the day before Saturday’s opening night: “With Domingo staying away from Los Angeles while an internal investigation is underway, the company pushed ahead Friday on season-opener plans with its general manager absent and rumors swirling about whether he will step down.” But of course, the show must – and did – go on. – Los Angeles Times

“The music itself is not the problem, in fact it’s what we do best—it’s our core product. Yet so many organizations think that if we change the product, it will help the bottom line, but it won’t.” – New York Observer