A Percussion Virtuoso Turns Sprinter, Chasing Instruments In Concerto
PORTLAND, Ore. – Scottish percussionist Colin Currie joined forces with the Oregon Symphony and music director David Danzmayr for a dazzling account of Danny Elfman's complex, high-speed, and physically sprawling Percussion Concerto.
Sofia ‘Ring’ Answers Multifaceted Challenge With Intimate Fantasy
SOFIA, Bulgaria – Plamen Kartaloff, director of the Sofia Opera and Ballet, uses his jewel of an opera house as a showcase for Bulgarian singers, and his intelligently staged Ring tetralogy is a worthy destination for Wagner fans around the world.
Sarah Kirkland Snider’s ‘Hildegard’ Wins Critics’ Nod As Best New Opera
BREAKING NEWS – Snider doubled as composer and librettist for her work based on the life of the 12th-century German abbess Hildegard von Bingen. The annual award is conferred by the Music Critics Association of North America.
Chicago-Based Critic Hannah Edgar Named Winner Of Littler Prize
BREAKING NEWS – The prize is named for, and supported by, William Littler, a longtime writer for the Toronto Star. It is awarded annually by the Music Critics Association of North America for excellence in writing by younger critics.
Sinking Petals, Ozone, Nature’s Quiet Sorrow: Songs Of The Earth
DIGITAL REVIEW – On a new recording, tenor Nicholas Phan, with pianist Myra Huang and the Jasper Quartet, offers a compendium of works contemplating the world around us by modern composers and the likes of Schubert and Ives.
Sea To Shining Sea: New Music To Brighten America’s Celebrations
PERSPECTIVE – O Beautiful Unity by Leigha Amick, right, is among numerous works commissioned from a diverse array of composers, established and emerging, to mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Early Menotti Comedy Accents Stage Offering At Diverse Spoleto Fest
CHARLESTON, S.C. – The festival is celebrating America's 250th anniversary with 17 days of events including Menotti's The Old Maid and the Thief, Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, and the Scottish Ballet’s Mary, Queen of Scots (pictured at right).
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CVNA MARKS 12TH ANNIVERSARY!
Classical Voice North America has won praise for the quality of its informative reviews, articles, commentary, and occasional podcasts at a time when many newspapers have cut back or eliminated coverage. We explore the richness of the classical music scene: opera productions, leading and regional orchestras, new works and upcoming artists, plus calendar listings. But access is free, so we need your support!
IN THE NEWS: MCANA MEMBERS' PICKS
- Los Angeles Philharmonic announces Daniel Harding as next music director - by Imogen Tilden at The Guardian
- Harmonium of Texas, Kahane's new start for San Antonio – by Jack Morgan at Texas Public Radio
- Leif Ove Andsnes on Geirr Tveitt, Norway’s Lost Genius – by Qobuz at YouTube
- Six podcasts about classical music – by Emma Dibdin at NY Times
- Encore! Encore! Maybe only one. Kissin’s fans were dazzled; he was dazed by da bum’s rush - by Lawrence B. Johnson at Chicago On the Aisle
- Elim Chan named SF Symphony's next music director - by Janos Gereben at SF Classical Voice
- The Wayward, new on CD at Bridge Records, is vivid reminder how vivid Harry Partch's music can be - by Ralph P. Locke at The Arts Fuse
- Musicians of the Old Post Road take on Graupner, Telemann, and others - by Ralph P. Locke at Boston Musical Intelligencer
- Gustavo Dudamel receives $1 million award from musician Herb Alpert: ‘We can change the world, but it starts with educating young people’ - by María Porcel at El Pais
- ‘Time to Act’ Review: Pittsburgh Opera’s Didactic Trauma Drama - by Heidi Waleson at WSJ
- After ‘Priceless’ Violin Flies on Lap, Lufthansa Changes Carry-On Rules - by Christine Hauser at NY Times
- More than 40% of musicians may suffer from tinnitus - and it’s not just rockers, according to new research - by Hazel Davis at Classic FM
- Remembering Helmuth Rilling, Who Brought Bach to a Wider Audience - by Tim Page at WSJ
- Klaus at Chicago's Art Institute - by Hannah Edgar at Chicago Sun-Times
- Is Lise Davidsen the soprano of the century? - by Fiona Maddocks at The Observer
- From Kythera to Boston: The Greek pianist setting fire to classical music - by Anna Cominos at Greek Herald
- 2025 in classical music: A year of small triumphs, against all odds - by Michael Andor Brodeur at Washington Post
- Vancouver Symphony offers sophisticated delights with launch of Modum - by David Gordon Duke at Vancouver Sun
- Philip Glass pulls world premiere from Kennedy Center - by Michael Andor Brodeur at Washington Post
- 2026: Gabriela Lena Frank, Composer of the Year - at 2026 Musical America Awards
- The Cliburn, Known for Piano Competitions, Will Hold One for Conductors - by Derrick Bryson Taylor at NY Times
- Yo-Yo Ma plays for the whales - at The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
- A new ‘Petrushka’ is bringing shape-shifting human puppets to Philadelphia - by David Patrick Stearns at Philadelphia Inquirer
- New Man for the Paris Opera - by Ronald Blum via Musical America
- Met Opera season broadcast dates - at MetOpera.org
Around the US
After 20 Magic Years, James Conlon To Exit LA Opera With ‘Flute’
LOS ANGELES – Mozart's opera will be the sign-off for the company's popular artistic leader, who also has shone as podcaster, pre-performance lecturer, and program essayist. "I liked everybody here," he said of his long-ago first impression.
A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT
Welcome to Classical Voice North America, the online magazine of the Music Critics Association of North America. Since 2013, CVNA has been a vibrant outlet for music criticism, providing expert coverage by members and occasional guest contributors. If you are a writer with experience in classical music, please consider joining MCANA. Together, we will keep music criticism alive and well.
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INTERNATIONAL
DISC AND STREAM
Cleveland Orchestra’s Portrait Of A Composer Profiles Community Ties
DIGITAL REVIEW – In a live recording, three works by Allison Loggins-Hull, who immersed herself in community outreach while serving as a fellow at the Cleveland Orchestra from 2022-2025, provide a striking impression of an important composer.
GAIL WEIN FOR CLASSICAL GAS
ISSUES IN THE ARTS
A Storyteller Of Parts, He’s Everyman’s Entree To Trove Of Great Music
PERSPECTIVE – Gerard McBurney is a composer, arranger, writer, and most recently creative consultant to the San Diego Symphony. He's also music's advocate: "If you tell the right story, they’ll say, ‘Okay, I'll give it a try,' and it can be beautiful."
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