Columbus, OH

(Credit: Royal Opera House) The Royal Opera House has announced cast changes for its productions of “Le Nozze di Fígaro” and “Tosca.”. The company said that Maria Bengtsson will replace Jacquelyn Stucker in the role of the Countess Almaviva. Bengtsson will join a cast that includes...

Royal Opera House Announces Cast Changes for ‘Le Nozze di Figaro’ & ‘Tosca’

After the initial success of its premiere in 1819 at Teatro La Scala, Rossini’s “Bianca e Falliero” managed to hold its place on Italian stages and beyond for over 10 years before disappearing completely. It was not until 1986 that its first revival in modern times took place, thanks to the Rossini Opera Festival in Pesaro. The performance proved to be somewhat of a turning point for the opera’s fortunes; if it did not exactly catapult it onto stages across the world, it at least managed to garner sufficient interest from one or two other companies to schedule the occasional performance, as well as giving rise to a number of recordings.

Rossini Opera Festival 2024 Review: Bianca e Falliero

(Photo by Gregor Hohenberg / Sony Music) Jonas Kaufmann is set to return to the Arena di Verona in 2025. The company announced that the famed tenor will present a gala on August 3, 2025. Tickets for the gala will be on sale immediately. This marks the most recent performance...

Arena di Verona Announces Jonas Kaufmann Gala in 2025

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Herbie J Pilato

It's been eight years since former TV child star Sawyer Sweeten, best known from Everybody Loves Raymond, died tragically by suicide at only 19 years old. Sawyer Sweeten, his twin brother Sullivan Sweeten, and their older sister Madylin, played Ray Romano's TV children on Everybody Loves Raymond, the Emmy-winning sitcom that originally aired on CBS 1996 to 2005.

The Tragic Suicide of Former TV Child Star Sawyer Sweeten ('Everybody Loves Raymond'): 9 Years Later

Tom Volf has announced an upcoming film of “Norma” from his production in Athens in 2023. The director showcased a trailer of the production, which he directed and starred Joyce El Khoury, Mario Frangoulis, Theresa Carlomagno, Sava Vemić, and Alexander Marev. The production will be conducted by American conductor Eugene Kohn, who was chosen by Maria Callas to be her accompanist on the piano during her Masterclasses at the Juilliard School of New York in 1971.

Tom Volf Announces ‘Norma’ Film

Shaun Martin, a Grammy-winning keyboard player for Snarky Puppy and longtime collaborator with gospel star Kirk Franklin, has passed away. Martin died on August 3, at the age of 45, the band announced in a statement shared on social media. While the cause of death has not been revealed, Variety...

Grammy-Winning Musician Shaun Martin Dead at 45

South Carolina State

Los Angeles County, CA

In 1981, pop-music sensation Andy Gibb was at the top of the charts. The younger brother of Barry, Robin, and Maurice, a.k.a. The Bee Gees, commenced a tumultuous romance with actress Victoria Principle, who played Pam Ewing on Dallas, TV's then-Number 1 prime-time series. But after the relationship ended, Andy's life, already challenged by substance abuse, did as well. This is their tragic story.

The Tragic Death of Pop Star Andy Gibb & His Traumatic Romance with 'Dallas' Star Victoria Principle

San Francisco, CA

Seattle, WA

(Photo credits: Bessent, Cheng, & Yildiz) Music of Remembrance has announced its 2024-25 season. This season aims to champion those who use their art to stand up against injustice and inspire action. Concerts will feature works by prominent Black American composers that confront the residual trauma of slavery, a 10th-anniversary production of an opera that addresses the responsibility of artists to reflect and shape society, and more. For the purposes of this article only vocal works are included.

Music of Remembrance’s 2024-25 Season to Feature Works by Carlos Simon, Jessie Montgomery, & Rhiannon Giddens

(Credit: Gran Teatre del Liceu Website) The Gran Teatre del Liceu has announced a cast change for Shostakovich’s “Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk.”. The Barcelona company said, that tenor Ilya Selivanov will the role of Zinovi Ismailov replacing Daniel Kirsch, who has canceled his participation in the production for artistic reasons.

Gran Teatre del Liceu Announces Cast Change for ‘Lady Macbeth of Mtsensk’

The Bayreuth Festival has announced that it is dissolving its chorus. At the end of the season, the company noted that chorus members would have to re-audition for a slot in the new smaller ensemble. The news comes after the festival announced a new chorus director Thomas Eitler – de...

Bayreuth Festival Dissolves Existing Chorus Due to Financial Constraints

Andrea Bocelli recreated his song "Vivo por ella" with Karol G, who described their collaboration as a career highlight. "This song is a huge honor for me" the Grammy-winning singer said. "It's a song I've always loved, and when I was invited to sing 'Vivo por Ella' it felt like coming home. It's a song I really feel inside myself, it feels like it's going to be a special point in my career.

Andrea Bocelli collaboration 'felt like coming home' for Karol G

Italian tenor and songwriter Andrea Bocelli has been one of the greatest voices in music for decades. His incredible range and powerful vocals have elevated him to the pantheon of European tenors, but he is also known for his beautiful romantic pop ballads. Andrea Bocelli is a famous music star.

A Living Legend: Looking Back At Andrea Bocelli's Life

Fort Worth, TX

Fort Worth Opera revealed the four singers set to comprise its 2024-25 Hattie Mae Lesley Young Artists. The quartet of artists includes Hannah Madeleine Goodman (soprano), Mariam Mouawad (mezzo-soprano), Ndumiso Nyoka (tenor), and Seth-Emmanuel Clarke (bass-baritone) will be the company’s new Resident Artists. As Resident Artists, the quartet will...

Fort Worth Opera Names 2024-25 Hattie Mae Lesley Young Artists

Karol G is stepping into the classical music world for the first time with Andrea Bocelli. This morning (Aug. 30), the Italian icon released a new rendition of “Vivo Por Ella” featuring La Bichota. Last month, Bocelli announced that he will release a new Duets album. The LP...

WATCH: Karol G Joins Andrea Bocelli in New ‘Vivo Por Ella’ Rendition

Piano players are essential to many music genres, including classical, jazz, blues, and contemporary music. Their skills range from intricate classical compositions to improvisational jazz solos and expressive pop ballads. Pianists often serve as the backbone of musical arrangements, providing harmonic structure, melody, and rhythm. Their performances can range from solo piano pieces to collaborative works with other musicians or orchestras. The versatility of the piano allows players to explore a wide range of styles and techniques, making it a central instrument in both traditional and modern music. The artistry and technical proficiency of piano players contribute significantly to the richness and diversity of musical expression.

15 Best Piano Players of All Time

We catch up with Jimmie Dale Gilmore and Dave Alvin while they’re on the road touring their new album, Texicali. Great collaborators and friends, our guests reflect on writing and playing together, defying genre expectations, acoustic guitars, and (most importantly) having a good time. Support the show:. Additional Resources:

Dave Alvin & Jimmie Dale Gilmore | The Acoustic Guitar Podcast

(Credit: Boston Symphony Orchestra) Conductor and organist Ton Koopman has been honored by the French Ministry of Culture with Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres. The Bach specialist and festival founder received the honorary title on August 25 at a celebration in the Dordogne town of Cherval. He received the honor from the former French ambassador to the Netherlands Bernard de Montferrand and received the award in recognition of his “significant contributions to the arts and literature, in particular, the enrichment of French cultural heritage” through founding the Itinéraire Baroque Festival.

Ton Koopman Honored By French of Ministry of Culture

[Note: Unless otherwise indicated, the commentary and quotes that appear in this article are from the author's direct interview with those mentioned.]. The original Perry Mason TV series starring Raymond Burr initially aired on CBS from 1957 to 1966. All these decades later, the show remains popular in syndication (and was recently reimagined in a new edition starring Matthew Rhys).

'Perry Mason' Actor Raymond Burr told co-star Richard Anderson, it's "all about the casting."

Brooklyn, NY

The Brooklyn Chamber Orchestra has released the details of its 2024-25 season. For the purposes of this article only concerts with vocal works are included. The season kicks off with its annual holiday program, “A Very Merry Brooklyn,” featuring the New York Choral Society. Performance Dates: December 14,...

Brooklyn Chamber Orchestra Announces 2024-25 Season

(Credit: William Jess Laird) The Metropolitan Opera has partnered with ELLE DECOR to redesign the newly minted Keebler J. Straz Lounge, formerly known as the Eleanor Belmont Room. The renovation project has been underwritten by Met Managing Director Keebler J. Straz, the youngest Managing Director on the Metropolitan Opera Board...

Metropolitan Opera to Redesign New Keebler J. Straz Lounge, Formerly Known as the Eleanor Belmont Room

NewsBreak

Piotr Beczala, Camilla Nylund, Catherine Foster, Klaus Florian Vogt, Tomasz Konieczny Headline Bayreuth Festival’s 2025 Seasn

The Bayreuth Festival has unveiled its 2025 season. The season opens with “Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg” starring Michael Spyres, Georg Zeppenfeld, Christina Nilsson, Christa Mayer, and...

Piotr Beczala, Camilla Nylund, Catherine Foster, Klaus Florian Vogt, Tomasz Konieczny Headline Bayreuth Festival’s 2025 Seasn

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