JULY 21, 2025
Renée Fleming debuts as opera director in Aspen
Soprano Renée Fleming, one of the most acclaimed singers of her generation, has made her directorial debut at the Aspen Music Festival and School, leading a new production of Mozart’s Così fan tutte at the Wheeler Opera House.
Presented by Aspen Opera Theater and VocalARTS, the staging reimagines the opera in the early 1980s, with gym settings and Jane Fonda-style aerobics. Fleming, who starred as Fiordiligi earlier in her career, guides a cast of young singers, offering both musical and dramatic insights drawn from her decades on stage.
“It’s taken less than a week to discover just how much concentration it takes,” she told The New York Times, which featured the project in a profile published July 20. “You’re responsible for everything.” The production marks another step in Fleming’s broadening career, which now includes work in arts and health advocacy, recent performances in The Hours, and new roles in leadership and mentorship.
Così fan tutte runs through July 26 in Aspen.
*****
JULY 21, 2025
Martín Jorge appointed director of Teatro Solís
Uruguayan conductor Martín Jorge has been named the new director of Teatro Solís in Montevideo, succeeding Malena Muyala. The announcement was made on July 10 by Montevideo’s new culture director Débora Quiring.
Jorge had led the Banda Sinfónica de Montevideo since 2015 and brings a long trajectory in orchestral and operatic work. A graduate in orchestral and choral conducting from the Universidad de la República, he trained with Piero Bellugi, Zsolt Nagy, and Alfredo Rugeles, and has conducted in Latin America, Europe, and the United States.
His experience includes operatic productions in countries such as Argentina, Brazil, and Spain, as well as collaborations with major Uruguayan ensembles including the Orquesta Filarmónica de Montevideo.
PH: Martín Jorge
*****
JULY 17, 2025
Leonard Slatkin returns to the Nashville Symphony as Music Advisor
The Nashville Symphony has announced the return of Leonard Slatkin as Music Advisor, a role he previously held from 2006 to 2009. His new three-year term begins with the 2025–26 season and follows the conclusion of Giancarlo Guerrero’s 16-year tenure as Music Director.
Slatkin’s responsibilities will include providing artistic guidance, conducting select concerts—including the Symphony’s 20th Anniversary Gala in 2026—participating in auditions, and contributing to the orchestra’s strategic planning during the ongoing search for a new Music Director.
An internationally recognized conductor, composer, and advocate for American music, Slatkin has held leadership roles at major institutions such as the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Orchestre National de Lyon, and the National Symphony Orchestra. His return marks a continued collaboration with the Nashville Symphony during a key transitional moment in its history.
*****
JULY 17, 2025
Berlin Philharmonic invites amateur musicians to join Be Phil Orchestra in Salzburg
The Berlin Philharmonic is calling for applications from amateur musicians to join the Be Phil Orchestra, which will perform at the Salzburg Easter Festival in 2026. The project offers around 100 non-professional musicians the chance to rehearse and perform alongside members of the orchestra under the baton of Tugan Sokhiev.
The initiative is open to amateur musicians aged 18 and over residing in Austria, Italy, Czech Republic, Slovenia, Hungary, Liechtenstein, Germany, Switzerland, or Slovakia. Rehearsals and the concert will take place in Salzburg from 29 March to 2 April 2026, with the final performance scheduled at the Grosses Festspielhaus on 2 April.
Applications, which include a video submission and online form, are open until 15 September 2025 at 6 pm. Participants will be selected by a jury made up of Berlin Philharmonic musicians and notified beginning 1 November 2025.
Further information and application details are available on the orchestra’s website
*****
JULY 17, 2025
Nathalie Joachim named Composer in Residence at Opera Philadelphia
Opera Philadelphia has announced the appointment of Nathalie Joachim as Composer in Residence for the 2025–26 season. A Grammy-nominated performer and composer, Joachim is known for blending classical music with electronic and Haitian folk influences, and her work often explores themes of cultural identity, social justice, and memory.
As part of her residency, she will curate two performances: one dedicated to her own compositions, and another highlighting the artists and repertoire that have shaped her creative voice. In addition, Joachim is among ten composers contributing to Complications in Sue, a new collaborative opera set to premiere in February 2026 at the Academy of Music.
Launched more than a decade ago, Opera Philadelphia’s Composer in Residence program is considered a pioneering initiative in the American operatic landscape. Designed to offer long-term creative support, it provides composers with opportunities to work closely with singers, directors, and the company’s artistic team. Previous residents include Missy Mazzoli, Lembit Beecher, and David T. Little, whose works have since reached major stages around the world.
Joachim’s appointment underscores Opera Philadelphia’s ongoing commitment to fostering new voices and expanding the boundaries of contemporary opera.
Subscribe to our newsletter