Behind the scenes

133 Posts
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In touch with Peter Katona
Peter Katona is the Director of Casting at the Royal Opera (London, United Kingdom) and spends much of his time travelling around the world sourcing talent. I asked him what it was like growing up in a musical environment, and
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In touch with Professor Wolfgang Rathert
Talking with Wolfgang Rathert, professor of musicology at the University of Munich, introduced me to the life and work of the pianist Géza Anda, after whom these events are named. Described by journalist Lynda Greene as a pianist whose ‘refined
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In touch with Steven Smith, Director of J & A Beare
I was lucky enough to get a chance to chat with Steven Smith, one of the two directors of J&A Beare fine instrument dealers. Tucked away just behind Wigmore Hall, the magnificent showrooms of Beare’s, with stunning cellos, violins, and
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In touch with Christoph Meyer
Christoph Meyer is the director of the Deutsche Oper am Rhein Dusseldorf Duisburg and is regularly on the jury for international singing competitions. I recently caught up with him to talk about the future of opera, both from the perspective
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In touch with Ian Rosenblatt
With central funding for the arts scarce and centred around established institutions, the world of classical music is finding itself looking to philanthropy to back new ventures of all kinds. This is not new, of course – musical history is
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Joys and Sorrows of Outdoor Concerts
Ah! It’s finally summer festival and outdoor concert time. Families love to picnic while orchestras play in various outdoor venues. The audiences come to our outdoor performances in droves. They are excited to introduce the orchestra to their children where
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In touch with David Hertzberg:
A YouTube Channel to Die For!
Are you a Facebook addict? I admit it. I am. Many of my friends are musicians, of course. Recently, I noticed that one of my friends has a “friend” who began posting some of the most amazing archival photos I’d
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In touch with Harry Fehr:
The Philosophical Director
Harry Fehr is the opera director who once told The Scotsman that he ‘would avoid Wagner at a dinner party’. Yet in April this year, he directed an intriguing production of The Flying Dutchman, re-shaping the title role as the
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