APRIL 11, 2025
Orchestre symphonique de Montréal announces 2025–26 season under Rafael Payare
The Orchestre symphonique de Montréal has announced its 2025–26 season, marking Rafael Payare’s fourth year as Music Director. A wide-ranging program includes major symphonic works, family concerts, new commissions, and innovative formats like Symphonic Happy Hours and Éclaté concerts—compact performances followed by informal evening events.
The season opens with La damnation de Faust by Berlioz, and continues with Mahler’s Symphonies Nos. 9 and 4, Shostakovich’s “Leningrad”, and Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring, along with premieres by Denis Gougeon and Isabella Gellis. Featured soloists include Bruce Liu, Simone Lamsma, Emanuel Ax, Barbara Hannigan, and Yefim Bronfman. In opera, Payare continues his Mozart–Da Ponte cycle with The Marriage of Figaro.
The OSM also announced a revised pricing structure to improve accessibility: base ticket prices have been lowered, a new OSM Card offers discounts on single tickets, and over half the seats are now available at reduced prices. Concerts for young audiences, holiday traditions like Handel’s Messiah, and a Harry Potter film-with-orchestra event round out the family programming.
For full details, visit osm.ca
*****
APRIL 11, 2025
Zurich Opera announces 2025–26 season, first under Matthias Schulz
Zurich Opera has unveiled its 2025–26 season, the first curated by Matthias Schulz, who succeeds Andreas Homoki as Intendant. The program balances canonical works with rarities, welcoming back major international singers and presenting several new productions led by prominent stage directors and conductors.
Among the highlights is La forza del destino, conducted by Gianandrea Noseda and staged by Valentina Carrasco, which marks the return of Anna Netrebko to Zurich Opera following her absence since the beginning of the war in Ukraine. She will alternate in the role with Elena Guseva, alongside Yusif Eyvazov, George Petean, and Michele Pertusi.
The season also includes Der Rosenkavalier by Richard Strauss, conducted by Joana Mallwitz and directed by Lydia Steier, with a cast led by Diana Damrau and Günther Groissböck. Other new productions include Hänsel und Gretel, Die Fledermaus, Cardillac, Giulio Cesare in Egitto, Scylla et Glaucus, La clemenza di Tito, and Tannhäuser. Notable names across the season include Cecilia Bartoli, Carlo Vistoli, Pene Pati, Christian Gerhaher, Rachel Wilson, and Chiara Skerath.
As in past seasons, the program is completed by a wide range of revivals, with works such as Tosca, Macbeth, Manon, Carmen, Arabella, and Rigoletto, featuring artists including Lisette Oropesa, Jonas Kaufmann, Bryn Terfel, Sonya Yoncheva, and Elīna Garanča.
For the full season details, visit the Zurich Opera website.
*****
APRIL 10, 2025
Van Cliburn Competition announces 2025 participants
The Van Cliburn International Piano Competition has announced the 30 pianists selected to compete in its 2025 edition, taking place May 21–June 7 in Fort Worth, Texas. Chosen from 340 applicants representing 45 countries and regions, this year’s competitors hail from Asia, Europe, and the Americas, with strong representation from China, Russia, the United States, and other leading music nations.
The Cliburn is regarded as one of the most prestigious piano competitions in the world, with a prize package valued at approximately $2 million, including concert engagements and three years of international career management. The 2022 edition drew over 60 million views worldwide and launched the career of Yunchan Lim, whose Rachmaninov performance became the most-watched online. This year’s jury is chaired by Paul Lewis, and finalists will perform more than four hours of music across four rounds.
2025 Competitors
Sung Ho Yoo (South Korea)
Piotr Alexewicz (Poland)
Jonas Aumiller (Germany)
Alice Burla (Canada)
Yangrui Cai (China)
Elia Cecino (Italy)
Yanjun Chen (China)
Jiarui Cheng (China)
Federico Gad Crema (Italy)
Shangru Du (China)
Roman Fediurko (Ukraine)
Magdalene Ho (Malaysia)
Carter Johnson (Canada / United States)
Xiaofu Ju (China)
Mikhail Kambarov (Russia)
David Khrikuli (Georgia)
Pedro López Salas (Spain)
Philipp Lynov (Russia)
Jonathan Mamora (United States)
Callum McLachlan (United Kingdom)
Evren Ozel (United States)
Chaeyoung Park (South Korea)
Korkmaz Can Sağlam (Türkiye)
Aristo Sham (Hong Kong, China)
Kotaro Shigemori (Japan)
Vitaly Starikov (Israel / Russia)
Anastasia Vorotnaya (Russia)
Angel Stanislav Wang (United States)
Xuanxiang Wu (China)
Ryota Yamazaki (Japan)
*****
APRIL 10, 2025
Elīna Garanča withdraws from all remaining Parsifal performances in Berlin
Elīna Garanča has officially withdrawn from all remaining performances of Wagner’s Parsifal at the Staatsoper Berlin due to health reasons. The mezzo-soprano had already canceled her first two appearances on April 12 and 15, and will now miss the full run. Tanja Ariane Baumgartner, who had stepped in for the initial performances, will sing the role in the remaining dates on April 18 and 20.
The cast also includes Lauri Vasar, René Pape, Andreas Schager, and Tómas Tómasson, with Philippe Jordan conducting.
Garanča shared a message with fans on Instagram:
APRIL 9, 2025
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra announces 2025–26 London season under Vasily Petrenko
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra has unveiled its 2025–26 London season, comprising 26 concerts across venues including Royal Albert Hall, Royal Festival Hall, Cadogan Hall, and St Paul’s Cathedral. Under the artistic leadership of Vasily Petrenko, now entering his fourth season as Music Director, the programming aims to reflect the diversity of London audiences with a wide-ranging mix of core repertoire, new works, and crossover projects.
Highlights for seasoned concertgoers include three symphonies by Mahler, Shostakovich’s Tenth Symphony, and Scriabin’s rarely performed Symphony No. 3. Meanwhile, accessible programs at Cadogan Hall will feature works by Dvořák, Tchaikovsky, and Beethoven, tailored for newer audiences. The season also explores popular genres with concerts such as Symphonic Queen, Best of Broadway, The Music of Bond, and a tribute to Joe Hisaishi, who returns as the RPO’s Composer-in-Association.
The orchestra welcomes Kevin John Edusei as Conductor-in-Residence at Cadogan Hall, and guest appearances will include soloists Clara-Yumi Kang, Benjamin Grosvenor, Midori, and Boris Giltburg. Other conductors featured this season include Eun Sun Kim, Sir John Rutter, Adam Hickox, and Emilia Hoving.
Designed to engage both long-time listeners and newcomers, the season reflects recent audience research and emphasizes the orchestra’s mission to expand access to symphonic music across the capital and beyond.
For more information, visit the Royal Philarmonic Orchestra website
******
APRIL 9, 2025
Teatro Real unveils 2025–26 season inspired by Shakespeare and Bluebeard
The Teatro Real has announced its 2025–26 season, structured around two thematic threads: the works of William Shakespeare and the Bluebeard tale by Charles Perrault. The season opens with Verdi’s Otello in a revival of David Alden’s production, conducted by Nicola Luisotti, with Brian Jagde, Jorge de León, Asmik Grigorian, and Maria Agresta among the cast.
The program also includes a Bartók double bill (The Miraculous Mandarin and Bluebeard’s Castle), a new production of Paul Dukas’s Ariane et Barbe-Bleue, and a revival of Bizet’s Carmen directed by *Damiano Michieletto. Other highlights are Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Smetana’s The Bartered Bride, and Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette, starring Nadine Sierra, Javier Camarena, Golda Schultz, and Ismael Jordi.
The season also features the return of Il trovatore with a large rotating cast, and the world premiere of Enemigo del pueblo by Francisco Coll, co-produced with Les Arts. Several titles will be presented in concert version, including works by Vivaldi, Handel, Purcell, and Mascagni.
For more information, visit the Teatro Real website
******
APRIL 7, 2025
Opus13 wins Wigmore Hall International String Quartet Competition
The Swedish-Norwegian ensemble Opus13 has won First Prize at the 16th Wigmore Hall International String Quartet Competition, which concluded on April 6 in London. The final, held before a live audience and an international jury at Wigmore Hall, featured complete Beethoven quartets performed by three finalist groups. In addition to the main award, Opus13 also received several specialist prizes, including those for best performances of works by Haydn and Mozart.
Formed in 2014 in Oslo, Opus13 consists of violinists Sonoko Miriam Welde and Edvard Erdal, violist Albin Uusijärvi, and cellist Daniel Thorell. Their First Prize includes a cash award of £10,000 and a professional development package with engagements in the UK, North America, and Europe, including a recital at Wigmore Hall and an appearance at the 2026 String Quartet Biennale Amsterdam.
The Terra String Quartet received Second Prize, and Quartet Integra was awarded Third Prize. The jury was chaired by John Gilhooly, Wigmore Hall’s Artistic and Executive Director, and included members of renowned string quartets such as the Pavel Haas, Brentano, Dover, and St. Lawrence quartets.
📺 Watch the final round below:
******
APRIL 7, 2025
Johanna Soller appointed artistic leader of the Netherlands Bach Society
The Netherlands Bach Society has named Johanna Soller as its next artistic leader, effective May 1. She becomes the seventh person to hold the position in the ensemble’s 104-year history, succeeding Shunske Sato, who stepped down in 2023.
Soller, born in Germany in 1989, is known for her work in historically informed performance and as a conductor, harpsichordist, and church organist. She currently leads the Münchener Bach-Chor & Orchester, and teaches at the Hochschule für Musik in Munich. From the 2026–27 season onward, she will be responsible for programming and will conduct around half of the Society’s projects.
Founded in 1921, the Netherlands Bach Society is one of the world’s oldest Baroque ensembles. It is widely recognized for its All of Bach project, which aims to perform and share all of Johann Sebastian Bach’s works online.
******
APRIL 4, 2025
Karina Canellakis extends contract with Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra
The Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra has announced the extension of Karina Canellakis’s tenure as Chief Conductor through August 2031. Canellakis, who took up the role at the start of the 2019–20 season, will continue her collaboration with the ensemble following a series of acclaimed performances and recordings.
The announcement coincides with the release of their latest album together on Pentatone: Bartók: Bluebeard’s Castle, following a previous Bartók recording that earned a GRAMMY nomination in 2024. Highlights of their partnership include a full cycle of Janáček’s operas and the Dutch premiere of Jörg Widmann’s Arche.
Born in New York, Karina Canellakis is an American conductor and violinist. She gained international attention after winning the Sir Georg Solti Conducting Award in 2016 and now appears regularly with major orchestras across Europe and the United States.
******
APRIL 4, 2025
Houston Grand Opera announces 2025–26 season
Houston Grand Opera has unveiled its 2025–26 season, which will feature seven productions spanning repertoire from Gershwin and Puccini to Handel and Kevin Puts. The season opens with Porgy and Bess, presented in a staging by Washington National Opera and conducted by James Gaffigan. Angel Blue and Michael Sumuel lead the cast, with Latonia Moore making her company mainstage debut as Serena.
Among the season’s highlights is HGO’s first full production of Puccini’s Il trittico, with Corinne Winters, Jamie Barton, and Ryan McKinny in principal roles. The company will also stage Kevin Puts and Mark Campbell’s Silent Night, an opera inspired by the 1914 Christmas truce during World War I. This revised production is co-produced with the Metropolitan Opera and directed by James Robinson.
The season continues with a family-friendly Hansel and Gretel, presented in collaboration with San Francisco Opera and the Royal Opera House, and includes Carlisle Floyd’s Of Mice and Men in the Cullen Theater. A staged version of Handel’s Messiah (in the Mozart arrangement), directed by Robert Wilson, and Rossini’s The Barber of Seville round out the lineup. The season will be the last under Patrick Summers’s leadership as artistic and music director; he will become music director emeritus in May 2026.
******
Subscribe to our newsletter