NEWS

Updated Nov 4, 2026

Herbert Blomstedt, a Legend in His Own Time, Dies at 99

Herbert Blomstedt, who headed the San Francisco Symphony from 1985-95 and led orchestras in Scandinavia and Germany during a career over seven decades, died Wednesday. He was 99. Blomstedt died at … »Read

Chan Steps Up in SF

SAN FRANCISCO—When Elim Chan was formally introduced as the next Music Director of the San Francisco Symphony in May of this year, she met the moment with a mixture of pomp and circumstance … »Read

Fired Hungarian Opera GD Strikes Back

On Nov. 1, Zoltán Tarr, culture minister for the new Hungarian government, dismissed Hungarian State Opera general director Szilveszter Ókovács with immediate effect. … »Read

New Music Director for NHK Symphony

The NHK Symphony Orchestra has tapped Tugan Sokhiev as its new music director, beginning with the start of the 28/29 season. He will be the third individual to occupy the post, and will succeed … »Read

Afghan Musicians Suffer in Silence

KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) — There was a time when music would fill many of Kabul’s streets, wafting out of cafes and restaurants, seeping out of homes in the warren of alleys that make … »Read

OSM's Explosive Return to Sunny CA

LOS ANGELES—Last week’s brief California tour by the Montreal Symphony Orchestra—or Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal—was a long-awaited return. The orchestra was … »Read

MN Opera Orchestra Votes 'No Confidence' in the Other Side's Leader

The contract negotiations between management and the musicians of the Minnesota Opera Orchestra took a turn for the worse on Oct. 31 when the players announced a formal vote of no confidence in … »Read

BBC's 2026 Young Musician

Sofia Demetriades, an 18-year-old violinist from Leicestershire who is currently a first-year undergraduate at the Royal Academy of Music, was declared winner of the BBC Young Musician competition … »Read

New Music Leadership at the Venice Biennale

Michele Tadini has been appointed artistic director of the music department of the Venice Biennale as of the 2027–2028 season. The Italian composer and researcher succeeds Caterina Barbieri, … »Read

Multiple Competition Winner Adds Naumburg

Following the final round of the Naumburg International Violin Competition in New York on Nov. 1, Japanese violinist Lina Nakano was announced as the first place winner. Currently studying at … »Read

HONORS & AWARDS


Each month, Musical America spotlights an important emerging talent. If you haven't heard of the New Artist of the Month before, we predict you will soon.


Ryan Capuzzo, tenor
New Artist of the Month
November 2026
The Esmé Quartet
New Artist of the Month
October 2026
Skylar Tang, trumpeter
New Artist of the Month
September 2026
Jingwen Cai, mezzo-soprano
New Artist of the Month
August 2026
Estel Vivó Casanovas, saxophonist
New Artist of the Month
July 2026
Song Hee Lee, soprano
New Artist of the Month
June 2026
Élisabeth Pion, pianist
New Artist of the Month
May 2026
Theodore Platt, baritone
New Artist of the Month
April 2026
Hannah De Priest, soprano
New Artist of the Month
March 2026
Ruth Knight, director
New Artist of the Month
February 2026
Chelsea Lehnea, soprano
New Artist of the Month
January 2026
Iván López Reynoso, conductor
New Artist of the Month
December 2025

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Since 1960, each year Musical America honors several outstanding musicians with an award for excellence.
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