American Randall Scotting has made a name for himself both as an authority on Italian Baroque music and as one of its most exquisitely timbered interpreters. The countertenor has in the past year alone released two albums, “The Crown” and “Lovesick,” a 17th century anthology about loss and heartbreak. With “Infinite Refrain: Music of Love’s Refuge” he joins forces with {…}
Several major opera figures received distinctions as part of the King’s New Year Honours 2024. Among the honored musicians included Judith Weier who received a damehood and Stuart Murphy who received a CBE. Laurence Cummings, Alex Reedijk, Carolyn Sampson, and Emma Wilson all received OBEs. Meanwhile, Sir Antonio Pappano, Music Director of The Royal Opera became Commander of the Royal {…}
(Photo: James Glossop) In the early 1730s the newly established The Opera of the Nobility succeeded in displacing Handel from London’s King’s Theatre, causing him to relocate to the recently built Covent Garden, a theatre furnished with the latest stage machinery, a chorus and dance company. The composer’s response to his new circumstances was to compose a run of successful {…}
(Photo: Theodore da Silva) Just behind Göttingen train station is the Lokhalle, a large industrial building built between 1917 and 1920, which until 1976 was used for repairing locomotives, when it was closed and sold for development. Fortunately, it was not demolished along with the other buildings on the site. Instead, it was converted into an events center which, among {…}
(Photo: Alciro Theodore da Silva) The relationship of art to society is a complex and ever-changing one. At times it is used to support the dominant values of the elite as was the case with the 17th and 18th century baroque, whilst during other periods, it sets itself up in opposition to society, underpinned by varying degrees of revolutionary intent. {…}