Strauss’ ‘Blue Danube’ waltz is launching into space to mark his 200th birthday
The radio signals will hurtle away at the speed of light, or a mind-blowing 670 million mph.
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Callas in Chicago: ‘Master Class’ and ‘Maria by Callas’
What a time to be a fan of one of the iconic sopranos of the 20th century! Maria Callas enthusiasts in Chicago can delight in having not one, but two outings to immerse themselves in the life and music of the acclaimed diva.
‘What was your secret, Montserrat?’: Larry Johnson Remembers Caballé’s Lyric Debut
In 1970, Montserrat Caballé was in only the fifth year of her international career and was, without doubt, one of the greatest voices to be heard in opera.
Michigan professor unearths inmates’ music from Auschwitz
DETROIT (AP) — Patricia Hall went to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum in 2016 hoping to learn more about the music performed by prisoners in World War II death camps. The University of Michigan music theory professor heard there were manuscripts, but she was “completely thrown” by what she found in the card catalogs: Unexpectedly upbeat and popular songs titles that translated ...
After rescue, Gaza’s only grand piano makes public comeback
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) – The only grand piano in the Gaza Strip has been played in public for the first time in a decade, following a complicated international restoration effort to fix the instrument after it was nearly destroyed in an Israeli airstrike. Some 300 fans attended the performance on Sunday, staring in awed silence as Japanese and ...
Plácido Domingo feted at Met Opera for his 50th anniversary
After portraying dozens of characters over a half-century on the stage of the Metropolitan Opera House, Plácido Domingo got emotional being himself.
Quiz: Match the Composer to Their Favorite Food
Some composers ate to live, others lived to eat. Can you match the composer to his favorite food?
Playlist: Leonard Slatkin’s 10 Forgotten American Masterpieces
Many composers and pieces were received enthusiastically upon their premiere, only to have been forgotten or overlooked years later. Esteemed conductor Leonard Slatkin shares 10 forgotten works that deserve greater recognition.
Concert pianist, Marian Anderson protege Burton-Lyles dies
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Blanche Burton-Lyles, a concert pianist who was mentored by pioneering opera singer Marian Anderson, has died. She was 85. Burton-Lyles died of heart failure Monday at a rehabilitation center, according to Slater Funeral Home in Philadelphia. Burton-Lyles was born and raised in Philadelphia. She learned how to play classical piano at the age of 3. Burton-Lyles was ...
Playlist: 10 Latvian Composers You Should Know
Andris Nelsons, Mariss Jansons, Kristine Opolais: when we think of classical music in Latvia, most are either conductors or musicians. But Latvia also has an abundance of composers whose works you will want to hear.
Composer Lalo Schifrin says Oscar is an ‘amazing honor’
In over 50 years of work, he’s also racked up six Academy Award nominations — five for original score and one for original song — but has gone home empty-handed every time.
