Q & A: Raquel Acevedo Klein, Ione, & Claire Chase On the Virtual Performance of Pauline Oliveros’s ‘The World Wide Tuning Meditation’

A growing number of participants are joining an online Zoom performance of Pauline Oliveros’s “The World Wide Tuning Meditation” each Saturday. Together, Raquel Klein of Music on the Rebound, Ione, Claire Chase, International Contemporary Ensemble, and other passionate co-coordinators invite anyone curious to embark on the art of virtually discovering a special connection during the COVID-19 crisis. Composer Pauline Oliveros, {…}

Apr 11, 2020

Q & A: Composer Tobias Picker on Winning the Grammy & Why He Loves Opera

(Credit: Josh Huskin) As Tobias Picker puts it, “It’s not something that happens every day.” The Artistic Director of Tulsa Opera is referring to the 2020 Grammy for “Best Opera Recording” bestowed on the 2014 recording of his opera “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” based on Roald Dahl’s 1970s children’s novel of the same name. The recording is also a nominee in {…}

Mar 15, 2020

Renaissance Woman – Huda I. Alkhamis-Kanoo, Founder of Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation, On Bringing Cultures Together Through Music

It was the afternoon following the Metropolitan Opera’s premiere of “Der Fliegende Holländer,” that I met a glowing Huda I. Alkhamis-Kanoo, the founder of the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation (ADMAF) and the Abu Dhabi Festival. The Abu Dhabi Festival was one of four organizations co-producing the Met’s “Dutchman,” the other three being the Metropolitan Opera, L’Opéra de Québec, {…}

Mar 8, 2020

Q & A: Francesco Lanzillotta on Rossini, Musical Styles & His Future

Italian conductor Francesco Lanzillotta is considered one of today’s most “interesting conductors” having performed a vast repertoire that ranges from Mozart to contemporary music. He has been the Music Director in Varna, and is currently the Music Director of the Macerata Opera Festival in Italy. As he continues to expand his repertoire, he is also becoming one of the most {…}

Mar 8, 2020

Q & A: Voice Teacher Bill Schuman on 30 Years at AVA & Receiving the Distinguished Achievement in the Arts Award

On Saturday, March 28th, the Academy of Vocal Arts will celebrate its 85th anniversary with BrAVA Philadelphia! For the first time 80 years, The Met Philadelphia stage will showcase some of the best-known singers in the world. The gala will honor the internationally recognized voice teacher Bill Schuman, bestowing upon him the AVA Distinguished Achievement in the Arts Award. Schuman {…}

Mar 8, 2020

Q & A: Sir Andrew Davis on Conducting The Ring Cycle in Chicago

Ever since 2000, Sir Andrew Davis has served as the Music Director and principal conductor for the Lyric Opera of Chicago. He has led a diverse repertoire from Mozart and Rossini to Tchaikovsky and Stravinsky with the company and has established the orchestra as one of the greats in the United States and the world. He has also led the {…}

Mar 7, 2020

Q & A: Composer Stuart MacRae On Early Works, ‘Anthropocene’ & “Prometheus”

(Credit:Loudon MacRae Photography) Composer Stuart MacRae has established himself as one of the most distinctive composers of his generation. He has written a range of orchestral and opera works in his career, with his most recent orchestral work including the symphony “Prometheus,” which premiered in November 2019. He has also composed five operas to date – “The Assassin Tree,” “Remembrance {…}

Mar 4, 2020

Mending Wall – How PRISM Saxophone Quartet Joined Forces with Soprano Tony Arnold for a Unique Musical Journey

This article has been updated from the original published on Mar. 6, 2020. In February 2022, PRISM saxophone quartet will present the long-awaited world premiere of “Mending Wall,” a fully staged production that examines the meaning of walls and the questions surrounding identity, community, division, and freedom. The performances will be presented in Pennsylvania at the Bryn Mawr Performing Arts {…}

Mar 1, 2020

Q & A: Soprano Arianna Zukerman on Singing ‘Annelies,’ Teaching, and Overcoming Cancer

Editorial note & Update: The March 21st performance of “Annelies” referenced within this article has been postponed. On Saturday, March 21st, Soprano Arianna Zukerman is set to sing “Annelies,” Anne Frank’s Diary in song. She will bring the work to Church of the Redeemer in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, under the baton of church conductor Michael Diorio. As a granddaughter of {…}

Feb 23, 2020

Q & A: San Francisco Conservatory of Music Voice Chair César Ulloa On the Art & Craft of Voice Instruction

(Credit: Valentina Sadiul) What makes a master singing teacher? Is it someone who knows the art of singing from both sides of the curtain? Or is it someone who cultivates a singer’s natural gifts, enabling the budding artist to bring out her/his inner voice? Perhaps it is both of these. César Ulloa is Voice Department Chair at the San Francisco {…}

Feb 15, 2020

Q & A: Conductor Daniela Candillari on the Importance of ‘The Mother of Us All’

(photo credit: Damjan Švarc) Virgil Thomson and Gertrude Stein’s opera “The Mother of Us All” recently made a historical debut at The Met Museum in honor of Susan B. Anthony’s life and women’s suffrage movement. The production celebrates a unique collaboration between the NY Philharmonic, Juilliard, and The Met, which features some of today’s visionary young artists working in opera. {…}

Behind the Scenes

Q & A: Raquel Acevedo Klein, Ione, & Claire Chase On the Virtual Performance of Pauline Oliveros’s ‘The World Wide Tuning Meditation’

Q & A: Composer Tobias Picker on Winning the Grammy & Why He Loves Opera

Renaissance Woman – Huda I. Alkhamis-Kanoo, Founder of Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation, On Bringing Cultures Together Through Music

Q & A: Francesco Lanzillotta on Rossini, Musical Styles & His Future

Q & A: Voice Teacher Bill Schuman on 30 Years at AVA & Receiving the Distinguished Achievement in the Arts Award

Q & A: Sir Andrew Davis on Conducting The Ring Cycle in Chicago

Q & A: Composer Stuart MacRae On Early Works, ‘Anthropocene’ & “Prometheus”

Mending Wall – How PRISM Saxophone Quartet Joined Forces with Soprano Tony Arnold for a Unique Musical Journey

Q & A: Soprano Arianna Zukerman on Singing ‘Annelies,’ Teaching, and Overcoming Cancer

Q & A: San Francisco Conservatory of Music Voice Chair César Ulloa On the Art & Craft of Voice Instruction

Q & A: Conductor Daniela Candillari on the Importance of ‘The Mother of Us All’