When you think of countertenors what’s the first thing that comes to your mind? Randall Scotting, a countertenor, sees himself as a preserver of this unique male voice. He’s releasing the album Divine Impresario to celebrate one of the most popular castrato opera singers of the 17th and 18th centuries. His name is Nicolini. […]
In these last few weeks of Black History Month, there are still many more events celebrating Black excellence. One such event is with violinist Rachel Barton Pine, who founded the series “Music by Black Composers” as part of her foundation, the Rachel Barton Pine Foundation. She did it to advance opportunities to study and perform […]
As any musician, classical or otherwise, knows, it’s a difficult climb to success. It took Sarah Kirkland Snider almost 20 years to find it with her composing career. She’s out with a new album of ethereal, spiritual music called Forward Into Light. Black History Month soars with hundreds of events this month. Here are just […]
Oh Happy Day! It’s Black History Month. There are so many events celebrating “black excellence” in all genres of music. I’ve only mentioned a few, including the Colour of Music Festival. See more links below. There’s a new audio edition of the Harry Potter books. Believe it or not, the National Endowment for the Arts […]
So many events are happening this month and early in February in the classical music community. There’s the Grammys, a new album of choral works from the composer of Baba Yetu, Christopher Tin, a fresh take on Bach, another cancellation at the Kennedy Center and the March broadcast of the Oscars with a nomination […]
While we look forlornly at the holiday bills as we head into tax season, there is some joy this January. The Grammy winning and nominated this year again Jazz pianist Sullivan Fortner is grateful and humble after winning the 300k Gilmore inaugural 2026 Larry J. Bell Jazz Artist Award. Donors have nearly flooded the Washington National Opera […]
Sometimes things happen that let you know that you are on the right path. This is the experience of the Zara Hudson Kozdoj of the UK. This 29-year-old Polish-Jamaican cellist, composer and conductor isn’t all about classical music but has surrendered herself to it in bits and pieces. She released her first album in October […]
Which opera team are you on? “Old” operas versus the “New” operas. According to the book, Opera Wars by Caitlin Vincent, artistic directors and others at the nation’s opera companies are in conflict with themselves over staging the standard operas from the 18th and 19th centuries or producing those composed in the late 20th and […]
While we still might be recovering from Thanksgiving, there’s the rest of the holidays to consider. Shopping for gifts, decorating the house while listening to music. Gifts have already come to Kyle Rivera, who won the Michael Morgan Prize for Black composers. The Pegasus Opera Company in the UK is looking for partners to produce […]
A new era of operas is emerging. Not that the popular ones are stuffy or just plain old. Composer Nathan Felix seeks new 21st century operas at his second annual Opera Austin Festival. Another member of the Kanneh-Mason family of England, has released a new album. Pianist Jeneba Kanneh-Mason shows her love of Jane Austen […]