Jakub Józef Orliński is the new countertenor name to add to an ever-growing roster of artists who are selling discs and selling out concert halls in this once rarefied area of the vocal arts. Polish singer Orliński is 27 and Anima Sacra, his debut album, will be released by Erato on 26 October 2018. It contains eleven Neapolitan arias of which eight are world premiere … [Read more...] about In conversation with Jakub Józef Orliński – the new countertenor on the block
Carnegie Hall
Trouble in Turin: Noseda walks as US tour is cancelled and new Intendant appointed
Walter Vergnano, the outgoing Intendant of Teatro Regio in Turin, resigned last week from his post. Three days ago, William Graziosi was appointed his successor. Graziosi left his position as director of Teatro Pergolesi in Jesi just before Christmas 2017, leaving a €600,000 deficit. Turin too is experiencing economic woes and because of this it has decided to cancel a US tour … [Read more...] about Trouble in Turin: Noseda walks as US tour is cancelled and new Intendant appointed
Interview with tenor Lawrence Brownlee on being a black man in America: Cycles of My Being
A new song cycle exploring the realities of life as a black man in America will receive its world premiere performance with Opera Philadelphia tonight, then in Chicago at the DuSable Museum of African American History on 22 February, and the Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall on 24 April. Cycles of My Being is commissioned by Opera Philadelphia, Carnegie Hall, and Lyric Unlimited, … [Read more...] about Interview with tenor Lawrence Brownlee on being a black man in America: Cycles of My Being
Interview with John Nelson, conductor of the new recording of Berlioz’s Les Troyens
An admiring review in the respected Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung of a production of Les Troyens, conducted by John Nelson, earlier this year, said, At present there are few conductors who, like John Nelson, can rightly be called 'Berlioz experts'. In an interview more than 20 years ago, Nelson called Berlioz his ‘patron saint in music’. Now, reflecting on that, he ups this … [Read more...] about Interview with John Nelson, conductor of the new recording of Berlioz’s Les Troyens
Founder of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, violinist Bronislaw Huberman, died 70 years ago today
Seventy years ago, on 16 June 1947, virtuoso violinist Bronislaw Huberman died at 64. He founded the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra by bringing Jewish musicians from Nazi Europe to Palestine, giving refuge to 1,000 musicians and their families. Huberman was a child prodigy. He was born in Poland on 19 December 1882, began lessons when he was six, and gave his first public … [Read more...] about Founder of the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, violinist Bronislaw Huberman, died 70 years ago today
Thomas Hampson answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
Q&A When did you start singing? In the crib. Apparently, I was a very vocal baby … no seriously, I already sang as a child. Why did you start singing? I loved tunes and music always made sense to me. Which singer inspired you most when you were young? Frank Sinatra. Which singer do you most admire? Giuseppe de Luca for pure vocalism and Tito Gobbi for why … [Read more...] about Thomas Hampson answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Singers’ Edition
David Aladashvili answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Musicians’ Edition
Q&A When did you start playing the piano? Well, I should have started earlier. Why did you start playing? Ballet didn’t work out :) Which pianist inspired you most when you were young? Eliso Virsaladze. Which pianist do you most admire? Martha Argerich; Georges Cziffra. What’s your favourite piece to play? Robert Schumann’s Kinderszenen. What piece … [Read more...] about David Aladashvili answers the Gramilano Questionnaire… Musicians’ Edition
Chris Merritt’s brave plea for help
Chris Merritt has written a heartfelt plea for financial aid on gofundme.com - he is asking fans and friends to help kick-start his career. Dear Ones, near and far.....I am turning to this entrepreneurial undertaking as a way to finance my career back into functionality. Due to very unfortunate managerial problems, my career has experienced a terrible downslide to the point … [Read more...] about Chris Merritt’s brave plea for help
Joyce DiDonato sings national anthem at baseball World Series game
Joyce DiDonato will sing the national anthem tonight at Game 7 of the baseball World Series, in her hometown of Kansas City. DiDonato - a lifelong Kansas City Royals fan - was selected after a fan started a social media campaign based around the hashtag #letjoycesing. The campaign quickly became viral, resulting in a Change.org petition which received over 3,000 signatures, … [Read more...] about Joyce DiDonato sings national anthem at baseball World Series game
Composer Julian Cochran on music, maths and method
Composer Julian Cochran has two phrases in his publicity blurb which leap out of the page. One, tender and intimate, gives a clue to the man: Having taken up piano lessons at the age of 11 at the encouragement of his mother who sadly died not long after, Julian’s gift to her was the ability at this tender age to create compositions on the piano, setting a path for a lifelong … [Read more...] about Composer Julian Cochran on music, maths and method