Calling All Crows has named Ben Whitehair as its new Executive Director. The organization, which was founded by Chadwick Stokes and Sybil Gallagher, focuses on creating accessible pathways to engagement and connects the music industry with social movements through impactful campaigns, programs, and partnerships. “Music has always been a catalyst for activism,” Whitehair said per an official press release. “At {…}
The Montreal / New Musics Festival has unveiled its 2025 edition. Here is a breakdown of the vocal performances on offer. First up is ¡Némangerie mâchée! The showcase features a collaboration between vocal ensemble Phth and visual artist Beth Rey in which each vocalist is a composer and improviser. Performance Date: Feb. 16, 2025 Vocal ensemble Ekmeles will present works by {…}
DACAMERA will present “Monochromatic Light (Afterlight)” on March 28, 2025 as part of the Big Ears Festival. The showcase will feature bass-baritone Davóne Tines alongside the St. John’s Cathedral Choir, violist Kim Kashkashian, percussionist Steven Schick, and pianist/celesta player Sarah Rothenberg. Tyshawn Sorey will conduct the eponymous work, which he composed and was co-commissioned by DACAMERA. Sorey’s 70-minute work was {…}
Soprano Núria Rial and the Swiss early music ensemble Les Cornets Noirs transported the audience at Laeiszhalle into the sound world of 17th-century Northern Italy. The carefully curated program focused on early Italian sacred music, showcasing Rial’s uniquely weightless and fluid vocal quality. Her natural, effortless singing gave each piece a distinctive texture, while the instrumental interludes seamlessly complemented the {…}
After installing himself as Board President of the Kennedy Center, President Donald J. Trump has admitted that he does not attend the Kennedy Center. On his way to the Super Bowl, Trump took questions from reporters with one reporter asking, “Why do you want to be chairman of the Kennedy Center board?” The President said, “I want to make sure {…}
Opera Australia is set to present Leonard Bernstein’s “Candide” with Eddie Perfect and Lyndon Watts. The work will be performed at the Joan Sutherland Theatre starting Feb. 20, 2025 and running through March 14, 2025. The operetta will be performed in a production by Dean Bryant with costumes by Dann Barber, lighting by Matt Scott, and choreography by Freya List. The {…}
The Teatro Galli – Rimini has announced its 2025 season. “Brimborium!” will star Beini Zou, Camilla Pacchierini, Laura Rigotti, Vera Della Scala, and Marcello Zinzani. Matteo Mazzoni directs and Mattia Dattolo conducts. Performance dates: Fev. 7, 2025 “Cavalleria Rusticana” and “Pagliacci” will be performed in a double bill. Mascagni’s opera will star Teresa Romano, Fabián Velóz, Amadi Lagha, Eleonora Filipponi, and Francesca {…}
Martin Glaser has been appointed to the position of general director of the Prague National Theatre. Currently, Glaser serves as the general director of Brno’s National Theatre (NdB). He will take the lead in Prague in Aug. 2028, succeeding Jan Burian. Collaborators joining Glaser in Prague are Jiri Herman as the head of the opera ensemble and Mario Radacovsky, who {…}
The first opera about Margaret Thatcher is in the works, courtesy of a team-up between historian & podcast host Dominic Sandbrook and composer Joseph Phibbs. The work, titled “Mrs. T,” will focus on the Prime Minister’s 11 years in office between 1979-1990. “Margaret Thatcher has been portrayed many times on screen, but never as Prime Minister on the operatic stage,” {…}
Barbara Berlusconi has been appointed to the board of the Teatro alla Scala in Milano. The appointment was made by the president of the Lombardy Region and is the first time a Berlusconi enters the board of directors of the Teatro alla Scala. In a statement, Attilio Fontana, President of the Lombardy Region said, “Best wishes for Dr. Berlusconi for {…}
(Photo credit: Lara Müller) A cappella group Sjaella will headline a performance at the Boyd Music Series 2025. The series is the result of a partnership between Bundanon and the Sydney Opera House, curated by Utzon Music Series Curator Genevieve Lacey. Sjaella features the voices of six women, including Viola Blache, Marie Fenske, Franziska eberhardt, Marie Charlotte Siedel, Luisa Klose, {…}