New Releases Aug. 12: Birds and Waves

Mandolin music of Italy, Iberia, and the Black Sea in Song of the Birds, and orchestral music by women composers in Breaking Waves. And albums focusing on works by Florence Price, Valentin Silvestrov, and Georg Philipp Telemann.

Don't Miss a Beat

Sondra Radvanovsky on the Acrobatic Bel Canto, Spectacular Couture of ‘The Three Queens’

Soprano Sondra Radvanovsky’s renowned vocal prowess is on impressive display at Lyric Opera of Chicago in The Three Queens. Also on display are three stunning gowns by designer Rubin Singer, who's designed for stars like Beyoncé and Renée Fleming.

NY Philharmonic to cut 500 seats in $550 million renovation

The capacity of NY Phil's much-maligned concert hall at Lincoln Center will be reduced by more than 500 seats as part of a $550 million renovation.

Conductor Mariss Jansons dies at 76; led top orchestras

Mariss Jansons, conductor of top classical ensembles including the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam, has died in Russia.

Gelb’s contract as Met Opera head extended through 2026-27

A former recording executive and television producer, Gelb was hired by then-Met Chairwoman Beverly Sills in October 2004 to take over two seasons later.

Mister Rogers Remembered by His Former Music Director [Video]

For many of us, just hearing the lyrics "It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood," is enough to transport us back to our childhoods.

Opera Explores the Brink of Humanity: ‘Dog Days’ Gets Chicago-Area Premiere

“It has been said that a society can be judged by the way it treats its animals,” composer David T. Little says in the program notes for his chamber opera, Dog Days. Based on a short story by Judy Budnitz, the opera is set in a war-torn future that’s not too far away from our own time.

Discover the versatility of Jan Peerce in 3 powerful recordings

In a career of more than sixty years, Jan Peerce reigned as a Met favorite, sang popular music, and performed Jewish cantorial repertoire.

Opera’s Ryan McKinny on Friendship, Artistic Bond with Death-row Inmate: ‘We’re Human Just Like Him’

Terence Andrus has been on death row since 2012. Through a penpal program, celebrated bass-baritone Ryan McKinny has become a friend and artistic collaborator.

Grammy Nominations Announced with Nods for Third Coast Percussion and Cedille Records

The 2020 Grammy Nominations were announced this morning, and several members of the Chicago classical community received recognition as nominees.

A Striking Musical Retreat in the Big Sky State

Located on 12,000 acres in the foothills of the Beartooth Mountains, the rolling, expansive landscape of Tippet Rise provides an evocative complement for an art center and summer festival that combines music, sculpture, poetry, and nature.

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