NEWS

Updated Mar 9, 2026

At La Scala: McVicar's Complete Ring Gets Underway

MILAN—From Vienna to Bayreuth, several of Europe’s leading opera houses are mounting full Ring cycles to mark this year’s 150th anniversary of the tetralogy’s premiere. At … »Read

Nelsons Was Way Overextended

The news that the Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) would  not renew Music Director Andris Nelsons’ s contract at the end of the 2026-27 season came suddenly and without sentiment. It … »Read

At COT: Kurt Weill's Takedown of Fascism

CHICAGO—Every moment ought to be Kurt Weill’s, but especially this one. Whether working in cabaret or opera, the exiled German–Jewish composer was one of music theater’s … »Read

Yuval Sharon's New Tristan: The Met's Biggest Ever

NEW YORK (AP) — In his book on reinventing opera, director Yuval Sharon describes Tristan und Isolde as “the single hardest work in the traditional repertoire to stage.” Yet here … »Read

Competition Win Catch-up

On March 3 Elise Arancio, an American composer and Juilliard alumna, was named winner of the 4 th annual  Pisar Prize, Juilliard’s annual composition award in partnership with … »Read

BSO Ends Its Music Director's "Evergreen" Contract

Andris Nelsons will exit as music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra following the 2027 Tanglewood season, which marks the conclusion of his current contract. A statement from the orchestra … »Read

NSO Exec Director Quits

Jean Davidson, who succeeded Gary Ginstling as executive director of the National Symphony Orchestra in 2023 , is moving back to Los Angeles to become executive director and CEO of the Wallis … »Read

Chicago Symphony Splits the Difference in 2026-27

Between its designate and emeritus-for-life music directors, the Chicago Symphony has carved out a mostly want-to-be-there 2026-27 season. The former, Klaus Mäkelä, spends five … »Read

Vivo Performing Arts (Celebrity Series of Boston) Taps Top Exec

Thor Steingraber, executive and artistic director of Los Angeles’ Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts, is to succeed 15-year veteran Gary Dunning as president and CEO … »Read

Bernard Rands Dies at 92

Bernard Rands, the British-born composer of nearly 100 works, died in Chicago on March 4, 2026, at the age of 92. A native of Sheffield in northern England, he studied composition first in Wales … »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.


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
Hongni Wu, mezzo-soprano
New Artist of the Month
November 2025
Emma Wernig, viola
New Artist of the Month
October 2025
Cadie J. Bryan, soprano
New Artist of the Month
September 2025
Wendy Waszut-Barrett, designer
New Artist of the Month
August 2025
Oliver Talukder, oboist
New Artist of the Month
July 2025
Katharina Wincor, conductor
New Artist of the Month
June 2025
Catharine Woodward, soprano
New Artist of the Month
May 2025
Abigail Raiford, soprano
New Artist of the Month
April 2025
Ashley Jackson, harpist
New Artist of the Month
March 2025

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