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The wave of Asian interest and excellence in classical music is giving the art form a global lift, which translates into new audiences, something classical music is always seeking…

Gustavo Dudamel announced his resignation as music director of the Paris Opéra on Thursday, a surprise decision two seasons into a six-year contract scheduled to run through the 2026-27 season.

One half-empty, one sold-out

Leonard Bernstein talks about Nadia Boulanger in this 1977 Bruno Monsaingeon documentary.

Irish violin-maker Padraig O’Dubhlaoidh has developed the first ever Vegan Society certified violin. The instrument has all the qualities of a classic Italian violin, but is entirely free of animal products.

His nine symphonies, five piano concertos, and sixteen string quartets – boasted a few significant Jewish episodes, including one composition based on a Jewish melody and another on the work of a Jewish poet.

For Tsujii, it’s a process governed by extremely careful listening and, as he described it in 2017, “sensing what’s around me.” 

A spontaneous reaction to a classical music performance went viral and led to a search for the boy responsible for the heartwarming moment.

Hollywood has always tried to do too much with their adaptations of ‘The Nutcracker,’ without seemingly understanding why people go to the stage versions each and every year: the music and the dancing.

The Dallas Symphony Orchestra played like the gods, tirelessly, lyrically, and magnificently throughout the six-hour concert. The expanded orchestra comprised 10 horns (some doubling in Wagner tubas) and 6 harps.

The Dallas Traviata features an intriguing carousel set from this summer’s Santa Fe Opera, and an arresting young soprano (also from Santa Fe) in the lead role.

This historic opera house, built in 1878, is small jewel box – only 550 seats and two levels decorated in ornate Victorian and European styles. 

The hall was decked out with festive wreaths, garlands, giant lit trees and nutcrackers, as well as a hot chocolate cart.  Outside, brass players from the Symphony treated passers-by to Christmas carols.

The orchestra was in the most capable hands of Music Director Eun Sun Kim.  Her energy and mastery of the music is quite remarkable and the orchestra was in very good form. 

The SF Jazz Center was well transformed into a tennis court with Howard Cossell, (played by Mark Hernandez) the well-known sportscaster in a box way up high.  He represented ABC’s Wide World of Sports, to tie the two pieces together.

The staging was quite spectacular and varied…There were several memorable symbols that changed dramatically with the expert lighting design of Pablo Santiago.

Tonight’s conductor, Eun Sun Kim, an up-and-coming young (39) Korean. She will be the first Asian music director of a major U.S. opera company and the first female music director in San Francisco.

There are various children’s activities in conjunction with the opera, including a gingerbread scavenger hunt!

Armenian soprano Lianna Haroutounian, making her role debut and a splendid one, too. She has a soaring voice and can reflect the various emotions and situations that Manon must go through.

The singers made a very good ensemble both vocally and visually. The title role was sung by American bass-baritone Michael Sumuel.

The evening sparkled throughout and there seemed a remarkable sense of ensemble performance...it was a night to remember.

The boyish baritone John Chest in the title role. He was very credible as the naive young sailor, singing and acting the part extremely well.