Latest Classical music News
Washington Opera offers new ending to Puccini's final work
NEW YORK (AP) — Ever since Giacomo Puccini died without finishing his last opera, “Turandot,” audiences have thrilled to its soaring melodies like “Nessun Dorma,” but also perhaps lamented the lack of a proper ending. Now the Washington National Opera is offering an...
North West joins starry concert event of 'The Lion King' at Hollywood Bowl
LOS ANGELES (AP) — North West, the daughter of Kim Kardashian and Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West, is going from “Paw Patrol” to another animal project: A starry “Lion King” concert. West joins a cast that includes Heather Headley, Billy Eichner, Bradley Gibson,...
Music Review: Kings of Leon electrify with new album that nods to the past, 'Can We Please Have Fun'
Kings of Leon pose an existential question to listeners on the first single from their new album: Are you a mustang or are you a kitty? Well, turning that around: Which Kings of Leon are we getting now? The purring arena-rockers or an edgy, untamed stallion? Judging from the 12...
Met Opera hosts 4 female conductors in landmark week. From its founding to 2016, there were only 4
NEW YORK (AP) — Oksana Lyniv, Speranza Scappucci, Marin Alsop and Xian Zhang filled their lockers in the guest conductors’ dressing room off the Metropolitan Opera’s orchestra pit. Just four women had led the orchestra from 1883 through 2016, but four took the baton in a landmark week from...
Music Review: Brad Mehldau connects Bach, Fauré to jazz on albums, 'After Bach II' and 'Après Fauré'
Grammy-award winning jazz pianist Brad Mehldau connects the dots as though they were so many 16th notes. His two new albums, “After Bach II” and “Après Fauré,” use classical music as a foundation for solo explorations that draw a through line from Art Tatum to Thelonious...
Music Review: Dua Lipa's 'Radical Optimism' is controlled dance pop
NEW YORK (AP) — In the chorus of “Whatcha Doing," the fifth track on Dua Lipa's latest album, she sings: “But if control is my religion / And I'm headed for collision / Lost my 20/20 vision," referencing the unexpected pull of a new partner. That sentiment proves true on...
Duane Eddy, twangy guitar hero of early rock, dead at age 86
NEW YORK (AP) — Duane Eddy, a pioneering guitar hero whose reverberating electric sound on instrumentals such as "Rebel Rouser" and “Peter Gunn” helped put the twang in early rock 'n' roll and influenced George Harrison, Bruce Springsteen and countless other musicians, has died at age 86. ...
Dallas' Noltemy is named Los Angeles Philharmonic president
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Kim Noltemy, a veteran of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and most recently president of the Dallas Symphony, will become president of the Los Angeles Philharmonic in July, the west coast orchestra announced Wednesday. Noltemy will help guide the search for a...
Taylor Swift's 'The Tortured Poets Department' hits No. 1, with songs claiming the top 14 spots
NEW YORK (AP) — Taylor Swift continues to dominate in the week following the release of her 11th album, “The Tortured Poets Department.” The 31-track album has hit No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, tying Swift with Jay-Z for second-most No. 1 albums at 14. Only The Beatles, with 19 No. 1...
Music Review: SEVENTEEN's '17 Is Right Here' is a study of their impressive evolution
K-pop boy band SEVENTEEN ventures into confident adulthood with their latest compilation album, “17 Is Right Here.” After a fantastic 2023, where they finished as one of the biggest selling artists of the year with their EP “FML,” the 13-members did not rest on their...
