Category: music

“It is unusual for a symphony conductor of Mr. Litton’s stature to decide to lead a ballet company ensemble: He is the music director of the Colorado Symphony Orchestra and the Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra in Norway, and was formerly music director of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.”

“Wolfe, 43, is leaving his post as executive director of Fort Worth Opera to succeed John D. Jones, who has directed Opera Birmingham for 16 years.”

“NYCO Renaissance is, in fact, one of several suitors who have been angling to take over the City Opera name and assets, and the group still has to win approval from a bankruptcy judge. But Capasso and Niederhoffer have raised $2.6 million in pledges, garnered support from former City Opera musicians, and have planned an all-star tribute gala to the late City Opera maestro Julius Rudel in March.”

In the wake of O’Connor’s sharp attack on both the Suzuki method of violin instruction (O’Connor has just published his own primer) and Shinichi Suzuki himself, longtime teacher Kate O’Brien, an ex-Suzuki instructor, weighs in candidly on the method’s strengths and weaknesses.

“The Philadelphia Singers’ board voted to shut down after learning in November that the William Penn Foundation had turned down a request for a three-year grant for general support; after its executive director resigned; and in view of $125,000 in debt, said Michael Martin Mills, board vice president.”

Officials confirmed that, following some very difficult years and the aftermath of the bitter 2010-11 strike, the DSO has posted the second balanced budget in a row and renewed contracts with music director Leonard Slatkin and president Anne Parsons through 2016-17.

“Baroness Nina von Maltzahn is making a $10 million gift to the endowment to establish the Nina von Maltzahn President’s Chair, a post currently held by Roberto Díaz, plus $1.5 million to underwrite the Curtis on Tour program during the next three years.”

“Jewish songwriters’ own successful assimilation and gratitude to America pervades their midcentury Christmas and other songs, and appealed to a country that wanted to feel brave and united as it fought World War II.”

“The orchestra, which hopes to begin renovating its home as soon as 2019, wants to effectively double the size of its endowment. But there will be stiff competition: Its next-door neighbor, the Met, is planning its own campaign to double its endowment.”