Ian Holubiak

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The Metropolitan Opera to Drop Blackface from Fall Season Opener 'Othello'

Just announced, The Metropolitan Opera will change its staging of Verdi's "Othello" so that it no longer includes its traditional blackface-style makeup. The fall season opening performance will be the first time in the production's history since 1891 without the makeup.
Andris Nelsons Extends Contract with Boston Symphony Orchestra Through 2022

Earlier this year, a fake tweet by Lang Lang had people believing that Andris Nelsons would lead the Berlin Philharmonic. However, the tweet was a hoax and the Boston Symphony Orchestra conductor has extended his five-year deal and additional 2 years to carry him through 2022.
Bram van Sambeek Creates 'Save the Bassoon' Fund, Attempts to Save Orchestra

The death of Cecil the lion may have shocked the world but it is in fact another "animal" that truly faces certain death: the bassoonist. At least, that's what Bram van Sambeek would have you believe. In an effort by Bram van Sambeek to save the future of the bassoon in the orchestra, he has equated the declining popularity of the instrument to that of an animal going extinct. Van Sambeek calls his effort the "Save the Bassoon Fund."
Time for Three Trio Welcomes Newest Member, VC 'Young Artist' Nikki Chooi

It's been announced that the classicaly-trained string trio, Time for Three, will welcome its newest member: VC "Young Artist" Nikki Chooi. The violinist will succeed departing member, Zachary Jon DePue.
Jonas Kaufmann Quarrels With Former Decca Imprint Over 'Puccini' Album

Earlier this month, Classicalite released an exclusive behind-the-scenes look into Jonas Kaufmann's upcoming release, 'Nessum Dorma - The Puccini Album.' Now, in a heated quarrel with his former label, Kaufmann is the victim of a dueling 'Puccini' album adorning his namesake, entitled 'The Age of Puccini.'
Vic Firth, Legendary Drumstick Creator and Percussionist, Dies at 85

Even if you aren't a percussionist the name Vic Firth--the world's most prolific drumstick maker--is still in your vocabulary. For the man who started it all, Mr. Everett Joseph "Vic" Firth has died at 85 years old.
Music Triggers 'Skin Orgasms" According to Wesleyan Psychologist Psyche Loui

As one could surmise, the body's reaction to drugs is remotely similar to its response to music. For one study conducted by Psyche Loui, the affects of music on the brain can trigger what she has appropriated as "frisson," which is comparable to an orgasm.
Anna Netrebko, Yusif Eyvazov Premiere at Beiteddine Art Festival, Aug. 27

In a most anticipated debut, the famous Russian soprano Anna Netrebko will perform at this year's Beiteddine Art Festival in Lebanon on Aug. 27. The event is scheduled to take place during the festival's July 27 to Sept. 5 run this year.
Chi-Chi Nwanoku's Chineke! Orchestra Debuts Sept. 13 at Southbank Center

A most astounding new concept, the Chineke! Orchestra and Foundation has become Europe's first professional orchestra to be made up entirely of black musicians. Coming this September, the ensemble will make is performance debut at the Southbank Centre in London.
PREMIERE: Jonas Kaufmann's 'Making Of' Video for Upcoming Puccini Album on Sony Classical

Such is the case with his forthcoming homage to the ever-famous Giacomo Puccini. The world's greatest living tenor, he sings "Nessun Dorma," the highlight of Puccini's Turandot, among other selections from Manon Lescaut, Tosca, La Bohème, Madama Butterfly and more.
Violinist Kevin Yu's Company, Coregami, Develops 'Gershwin' Shirt for Musicians

For ensemble musicians and beyond, performing in concert attire can be restraining. For violinist Kevin Yu, the confines of formal wear during a show has inspired a new "Gershwin" shirt by the musician and his company Coregami.
Black Violin Hip-Hop Duo Release Topical 'Invisible' Single

Continuing the argument that classical music and hip-hop are not exempt from one another, we present you with Black Violin, a duo from Florida comprised of two classically trained instrumentalists. They just released their latest track, "Invisible."
Composer Beseeches Peers "Cut Ties with BP" in Letter

It seems that British Petroleum (BP) has angered the classical community with its destructive environmental debauchery. Now, in a letter published in The Guardian, a composer beseeches their peers to decline all funding that will allow BP to maintain social legitimacy in light of its crimes.
Dmitri Hvorostovksy Gives Private Recital in Light of Brain Tumor Diagnosis

While it's been reported that Russian baritone, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, will receive treatment in London for his brain tumor, it appears the singer turned up Sunday night at the Russian ambassador's residence for a private recital.
Berlin Philharmonic Introduces Kirill Petrenko, New Chief Conductor, Via Website

The Berlin Philharmonic's newly appointed chief conductor, Kirill Petrenko, has already had to deal with anti-Semitic abuse over his new position. While he remains tight-lipped on all matters, the orchestra has taken the opportunity to introduce their new leader via a free website.
Jewish Conductor Kirill Petrenko Greeted with Anti-Semitism in Germany Appointment

Having been appointed to the Berlin Philharmonic beginning September 2018, Kirill Petrenko has expressed his enthusiasm for taking over a most astounding symphony. However, his enthusiasm was met with anti-Semitism on Northern German Radio (NDR) and other German news outlets.
William Tell Gang-Rape Scene Receives Poor Reviews, Outrages Responses

Art has spurred many a-controversy for as long as it has been in creation (and that's a very long time). However, critics and concertgoers alike have agreed that the latest staging of Rossini's epic four-part production of "William Tell" at the Royal Opera House is distasteful and offensive, specifically because of its 5-minute long rape scene.
Organist Charles Miller Jr. Pounds Church Organ During Obama's Mother Emanuel Eulogy

Barack Obama's eulogy for the late Rev. Clementa Pinckney may have been gifted a powerful punctuation, that is when Charles Miller Jr. pounded on his church organ at the perfect moment to help solidify a touching moment amid a great tragedy.
Dmitri Hvorostovsky, World-Renowned Baritone, Diagnosed with Brain Tumor

The beloved Russian baritone, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, has revealed that he has had to cancel all engagements through the end of August to undergo treatment for a brain tumor. The announcement was posted Wednesday on his website.
Miles Davis Unreleased Performances Premiere in 'Newport 1955-1975' Box Set

Miles Davis fans have grown over the years to include everyone from seasoned jazzgoers to dabblers in the genre. During his stint at the Newport Jazz Festival, his performances there brought together an audience of all stripes and trades. Now, those special performances will be available for purchase.
Joyce DiDonato Reveals 'Joyce & Tony - Live at the Wigmore Hall' Album Art on Twitter

Joyce DiDonato, a household name for opera fans, has announced that her latest album release, 'Joyce & Tony - Live at the Wigmore Hall,' will be available for sale worldwide on August 28. Recently, the singer shared with her fans the cover art for the album.
From the Top Band Teams Up With Rapper Lotus Taylor for Wiz Khalifa Tribute [WATCH]

Rap and orchestra, a bond that usually fits in the studio and has become almost a staple of the hip-hop "ballad," has brought students from Berklee and the New England Conservatory (known as the From the Top band) together to back local rapper Lotus Taylor in a Wiz Khalifa cover.
Berlin Philharmonic Elects Kirill Petrenko of Bavarian State Opera to Chief Conductor

With the Berlin Philharmonic's chief conductor position still outstanding, it appears a decision has finally been reached. As of Monday, Russian-born conductor and music director of the Bavarian State Opera in Munich, Kirill Petrenko, will take the reigns and succeed Simon Rattle.
CONSOLATION PRIZE: Anna Netrebko Canceling Tchaik's 'Iolanta' Due to Throat Infection?...WIN IT ON CD!

We're going to miss her, indeed. And if you are, too, Classicalites, just answer the following quiz correctly--by our standards, at least--and win Deutsche Grammophon's two-CD Iolanta set of Netrebko, Sergey Skorokhodov, Alexey Markov, Vitalij Kowaljow and the Emmanuel Villaume-led Slovenian Philharmonic Orchestra. We'll throw in another live Blu-Ray of her Verdi, Mozart and Puccini at Salzburg, as well.
Google Play's 'Classical Live' Gives Orchestras New Outlet for Live Records

Perhaps the largest effort to bring classical into the digital age, Google's upcoming music platform, dubbed 'Classical Live' aims to bring together audiences of all stripes. The idea is to provide listeners with exactly what the namesake denotes: exclusive live recordings of the world's most well-known orchestras.
WATCH JIMEK-Led Polish National Radio Symphony Performs Hip Hop-Hits Medley

Whoever said that hip hop and rap music lacked class can eat their heart out. Conductor Radzimir Debski (JIMEK) led the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra through a mash-up of rhythmic classics, touching on a generation who loves everyone from Wu-Tang to the contemporary Kendrick Lamar.
Kelly Peterson Announces Star-Studded Album Honoring Late Husband, 'Oscar, With Love'

Kelly Peterson, wife of the jazz legend Oscar Peterson, has announced a new project that will honor her late husband. The new release, 'Oscar, With Love,' will feature new compositions by the heavyweight performed by a star-studded line up and much more.
Tech Talk: Enormous Octobasse Produces Sound Too Low For Human Ears

For you gear junkies, this is no new invention. The octobasse (dubbed "octobass") is a stringed instrument hailing form 1850 by French instrument maker Jean-Baptiste Vuillaume. Requiring a heavy-handed player, the instrument is capable of producing a sound humans are incapable of hearing.
Amiri Baraka Takes W. E. B. Du Bois' 'Most Dangerous in America' to New Federal Theater May 28

Even in its 46th year, the New Federal Theater still has a penchant for experimentation and political inquiry. And in that vein, producer and director Woodie King Jr. begins previews of the theater's upcoming staging of Amiri Baraka's "Most Dangerous Man in America" (W. E. B. Du Bois).
Bruce Lundvall, CEO of Blue Note Records and Prominent Jazz Figure, Dies at 79

Former CEO of Blue Note records and a most major figure in jazz, Bruce Lundvall, who had been battling a neurological disorder has passed away. Following recent surgery, Lundvall failed to regain consciousness. He was 79 years old.