25-year-old Venezuelan clarinettist Karen Palacios was released on Tuesday, after a month and a half of detention for criticism of the government published on the Internet. Apparently she was in a cell with two beds, but with nine other inmates. Now she is free, but still under police surveillance. She is not allowed any statement in the media or on social networks.

Based in Washington’s suburb North Bethesda, Maryland, the National Philharmonic announced plans to close permanently. “It is with great sadness that I must report that the National Philharmonic has to shut its doors,” said the orchestra’s president Leanne Ferfolia in a press release. Read More →

An audit of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra’s finances shows “substantial uncertainty” about the organization’s ability to continue operating, the Orchestra stated. The audit says that the orchestra is in such a grave financial situation that neither the legislated cash infusion from the state nor the reduced expense of a shortened season might be enough to save it. The orchestra and its musicians are in the midst of negotiating a new contract, without having reached an agreement that addresses the financial issues.

Fabio Luisi

Following the resignation of General Manager Christiano Chiorat, conductor Fabio Luisi quits as Music Director of the Maggio Fiorentino: the announcement was made in a letter to the mayor Dario Nardella and to Cristiano Chiarot, then spread to employees. Luisi announces the decision « with a feeling of extreme discomfort and great sorrow » and speaks of « incomprehensible strategic choices of the last few days ». Clearly, the conductor points at the politicians who want to gain power in the management.

Ivan Repusic

Der kroatische Dirigent Ivan Repusic (41) hat eine Verlängerung seines Vertrages als Chefdirigent des Münchner Rundfunkorchesters unterzeichnet. Er wird somit bis 2023 Chefdirigent des BR-Klangkörpers bleiben. Read More →

New York’s Lincoln Center has extended the contract of Music Director Louis Langrée through the summer of 2023. The 58-year-old French conductor has held the position since 2003. He has held positions as Music Director of the Orchestre de Picardie and Orchestre Philharmonique Royal de Liège and was Chief Conductor of the Camerata Salzburg. Read More →

Karajan - Wiener Philharmoniker
(c) Deutsche Grammophon - Unitel

Vor 30 Jahren, am 16. Juli 1989, starb Herbert von Karajan in seinem Haus in Anif bei Salzburg. Pizzicato wiederveröffentlicht aus diesem Anlass den Artikel von Remy Franck « Suggestive Kraft der Ästhetik ».

Michael Hofstetter
(c) Stuart Armitt

Generalmusikdirektor Michael Hofstetter hat seinen Vertrag am Stadttheater Gießen vorzeitig aufgelöst. Zum Jahresende wird der 57-jährige deutsche Dirigent das Haus verlassen.Ursprünglich lief  sein Kontrakt bis zum 31. Juli 2022. Read More →

Ekaterina Gubanova, die Sängerin der Venus in der Tannhäuser-Neuinszenierung bei den diesjährigen Bayreuther Festspielen, hat sich bei einer Bühnenprobe verletzt. Dies teilten die Bayreuther Festspiele mit. Gubanova wird daher auf ihr Bayreuth-Debut bei der Festspiel-Eröffnung am 25. Juli verzichten müssen. Ersetzt wird sie durch Elena Zhidkova. Read More →

The Los Angeles Philharmonic has announced the four conductors who will participate in the 2019/20 Dudamel Fellowship Program: Hilo Carriel, Marta Gardolinska, Enluis Montes Olivar, and Anna Rakitina. Read More →