Latest Classical music News
US students who box, skydive and help youth and asylum seekers are among 2025's Rhodes scholars
A group of 32 students from the United States have been selected to attend the University of Oxford as part of the prestigious Rhodes scholar program in the coming year among an international class representing more than 70 nations, scholarship officials announced. The program...
Jeff Beck was one of rock's greatest guitarists. Now his instruments are up for auction
LONDON (AP) — Musicians, collectors and fans have a chance to own a guitar god’s tools of the trade — instruments owned by the late Jeff Beck are going up for auction. Christie’s announced Friday it will sell more than 130 items, including 90 guitars, from the collection of...
Burt Bacharach, composer of classic songs, will have papers donated to Library of Congress
WASHINGTON (AP) — Burt Bacharach, one of the most celebrated and popular composers and songwriters of the 20th century, will have his papers donated to the Library of Congress. Bacharach's widow Jane Bacharach, who made the donation, and the Library of Congress, announced the...
Mason Bates' Met-bound opera 'Kavalier & Clay' based on Michael Chabon novel premieres in Indiana
BLOOMINGTON, Indiana (AP) — When composer Mason Bates approached Michael Chabon about turning his novel “The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay” into an opera, he said the writer told him frankly that “opera was not his thing.” “He was very supportive of the...
Thailand's baby pygmy hippo Moo Deng now has an official song in 4 languages
BANGKOK (AP) — In case you can’t get enough of the little pygmy hippo Moo Deng from Thailand, there's now an official song featuring the internet's favorite baby animal — released in four languages for her global fans. The upbeat 50-second song “Moodeng Moodeng," available...
Alexander Shelley to become Pacific Symphony Orchestra music director for 2026-27 season
COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) — Alexander Shelley will become music director of the Pacific Symphony Orchestra for the 2026-27 season following the 35-year tenure of Carl St. Clair. The 45-year-old will be just the third music director for the orchestra after founder Keith Clark...
Daniele Rustioni to become Metropolitan Opera's principal guest conductor
NEW YORK (AP) — Daniele Rustioni will become just the third principal guest conductor of the Metropolitan Opera in its nearly century-and-a-half history, leading at least two productions each season starting in 2025-26 as a No. 2 to music director Yannick Nézet-Séguin. Rustioni...
My Chemical Romance returns with 'The Black Parade' tour
NEW YORK (AP) — Nearly two decades ago, My Chemical Romance released their career-defining rock opera, “The Black Parade,” cementing their shift from mainstays of the emo scene to mainstream recognition and becoming one of the most inventive bands of the 21st century. In 2025,...
More than 1,000 mariachis belt out classics like 'Cielito Lindo' in a Mexico City plaza
MEXICO CITY (AP) — More than 1,000 mariachis gathered in Mexico City’s main plaza Sunday, strumming guitars and singing classics like “Cielito Lindo” to end a mariachi congress celebrating the musical form. The number of musicians apparently topped the previous record of 700...
Quincy Jones laid to rest at private family funeral in Los Angeles
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Music giant Quincy Jones was laid to rest in a private ceremony in Los Angeles, a week after his death at age 91. A larger, more public memorial is also being planned. The family of the 28-time Grammy winning producer, arranger and composer said in a statement...
