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 with an album of music in honor of the 250th anniversary of the novelist’s birth.
As the holiday season officially makes its debut this Thanksgiving week, there’s money and music to behold.
First up, the Palm Beach Symphony has hired its first ever Development Director in its 41-year history.
Then there’s Chloe Flower who’s released an album of holiday music composed by women. It’s called She Composed – The Holidays.
Finally we ask the question: How does your concert outfit affect perceptions of your performance?
One man, a conductor, has such love for the music of British composer Samuel Coleridge Taylor (August 15, 1875 – September 1, 1912) that he made it his mission to find his manuscripts. The album, produced by conductor Michael Repper and performed by the National Philharmonic with violinist Curtis Stewart is a love note to Coleridge Taylor on the 150th anniversary of his birth. Much of the music on the album titled Samuel Coleridge-Taylor are world-premiere studio recordings of his work. Some of them have not been performed for 100 years.
The La Maestra International Competition for Women Conductors
A new opera is about to premiere in Virginia called Loving v. Virginia. It tells the true story of an interracial couple who had to go to the Supreme Court to legalize their marriage. Two well-known opera singers were asked to compose and direct. Bass Baritone Damien Geter composed the music and Mezzo Soprano Denyce Graves is directing.
Also on this March 2025 edition of Classical Music In Color. The heartbreaking story of a music camp for BIPOC high school musicians that was shut down by the federal government.
Here are the links to the competitions mentioned in the show.
The Audition Intensive from Sphinx
Early Music America Engagement Awards