David Robertson News

The Metropolitan Opera's 2013-14 season will feature many of the world's greatest singers, conductors, and theater artists in 26 operas, including six new productions, of a varied repertory that ranges from the Baroque era to the 21st century. Met Music Director James Levine will return to the Met podium for the first time in two years, conducting three operas with which he has long been associated: a new production of Verdi's final masterpiece Falstaff, Mozart's Cosi fan tutte, and Berg's Wozzeck. Met Principal Conductor Fabio Luisi will be conducting two operas in the 2013-14 season, Rossini's La Cenerentola and Puccini's Madama Butterfly.

The Metropolitan Opera's 2013-14 season will feature many of the world's greatest singers, conductors, and theater artists in 26 operas, including six new productions, of a varied repertory that ranges from the Baroque era to the 21st century. Met Music Director James Levine will return to the Met podium for the first time in two years, conducting three operas with which he has long been associated: a new production of Verdi's final masterpiece Falstaff, Mozart's Cosi fan tutte, and Berg's Wozzeck. Met Principal Conductor Fabio Luisi will be conducting two operas in the 2013-14 season, Rossini's La Cenerentola and Puccini's Madama Butterfly.

Today, the St. Louis Symphony announced its 2013-2014 season, the orchestra's 134th since its founding in 1880 and the ninth led by Music Director David Robertson. The 2013-2014 classical subscription series is sponsored by Wells Fargo Advisors and runs from September 20, 2013 through May 11, 2014.

Clive Gillinson, Executive and Artistic Director, today announced Carnegie Hall's 2013-2014 season, consisting of over 170 performances and extensive education and community programs created by Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute. The upcoming season features collaborations with many of the world's greatest musicians and ensembles from the worlds of classical, pop, jazz, and world music, with performances presented on Carnegie Hall's three stages and throughout New York City.

The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra announces the highly anticipated inaugural season of Louis Langrée, the Orchestra's 13th Music Director. Mr. Langrée will take up the baton at historic Music Hall for six of 20 thrilling subscription concert weekends for the 118 year-old Orchestra. The season lineup honors the CSO's rich traditions of presenting classic orchestral repertoire and exploring new musical territory. Groundbreaking collaborations and a diverse array of repertoire set the stage for a vibrant new beginning for the CSO and Mr. Langrée, drawn together by a passion and vision to transform the live concert experience and create inspiring performances. The 2013-14 season is packed with over 67 works of music through the Masterworks, Ascent and Boundless series, and includes two world premiere commissions and visits from four acclaimed composers.

The St. Louis Symphony announced today the extension of David Robertson's contract as Music Director. Robertson, currently in his eighth season with the orchestra, will remain as Music Director in St. Louis through the 2015-2016 season.

A quickly-rising star who is already one of the opera world's most sought-after vocalists, soprano Susanna Phillips has filled the upcoming season with an exciting schedule of engagements. Phillips returns to New York's Metropolitan Opera for her fifth consecutive season, makes her Carnegie Hall solo recital debut, and taps into her Southern heritage as Stella in Andre Previn's A Streetcar Named Desire with Renee Fleming in performances at Carnegie Hall and Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Manhattan Saxophone Quartet, along with special guest performers Mika Godbole and Aleksandr Karjaka, will perform works by composers Jacob T.V., Lee Hyla, Quinn Collins, David Noon, and Inhyun Kim at the Leonard Nimoy Thalia theater at Symphony Space, (2537 Broadway, New York City) tonight, November 10th, 2012 at 7:30 pm.

Manhattan Saxophone Quartet, along with special guest performers Mika Godbole and Aleksandr Karjaka, will perform works by composers Jacob T.V., Lee Hyla, Quinn Collins, David Noon, and Inhyun Kim at the Leonard Nimoy Thalia theater at Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway, New York City on Saturday, November 10th, 2012 at 7:30 pm.

The Monday evening, October 29, performance of Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro ("The Marriage of Figaro") at the Metropolitan Opera is cancelled due to the suspension of public transportation by authorities in preparation of the incoming storm.

A quickly-rising star who is already one of the opera world's most sought-after vocalists, soprano Susanna Phillips has filled the upcoming season with an exciting schedule of engagements. Phillips returns to New York's Metropolitan Opera for her fifth consecutive season, makes her Carnegie Hall solo recital debut, and taps into her Southern heritage as Stella in Andre Previn's A Streetcar Named Desire with Renee Fleming in performances at Carnegie Hall and Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Manhattan Saxophone Quartet, along with special guest performers Mika Godbole and Aleksandr Karjaka, will perform works by composers Jacob T.V., Lee Hyla, Quinn Collins, David Noon, and Inhyun Kim at the Leonard Nimoy Thalia theater at Symphony Space, (2537 Broadway, New York City) on Saturday, November 10th, 2012 at 7:30 pm.

Guest vocalists Dominique Labelle (soprano), Susanne Mentzer (mezzo-soprano), Adam Diegel (tenor), and David Pittsinger (bass-baritone) join the Columbus Symphony, Columbus Symphony Chorus, and Music Director Jean-Marie Zeitouni for a one-night-only season opening performance of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, the world renowned Ode to Joy. The evening's program will also include Handel's grand ode for the coronation of England's King George II and a gentle motet by Mozart.

Naxos Canadian Classics today, September 25, 2012, releases Dreamscapes, a world premiere recording of three works by Edmonton-born composer Vivian Fung.

Russian bass Ildar Abdrazakov [ahb-drah-ZAH-koff], fresh from his appearances with Italian maestro Riccardo Muti at the Salzburg Festival, commences a powerhouse 2012-13 season with two iconic Mozart roles. First, in September, the two-time Grammy Award-winner appears as the infamous anti-hero of Don Giovanni at the Washington National Opera; then, in October and November, he sings the title roles of Le nozze di Figaro and Don Giovanni at the Metropolitan Opera.

Guest vocalists Dominique Labelle (soprano), Susanne Mentzer (mezzo-soprano), Adam Diegel (tenor), and David Pittsinger (bass-baritone) join the Columbus Symphony, Columbus Symphony Chorus, and Music Director Jean-Marie Zeitouni for a one-night-only season opening performance of Beethoven's Symphony No. 9, the world renowned Ode to Joy. The evening's program will also include Handel's grand ode for the coronation of England's King George II and a gentle motet by Mozart.

Naxos Canadian Classics announces the September 25, 2012 release of Dreamscapes, a world premiere recording of three works by Edmonton-born composer Vivian Fung. The recording features Ms. Fung's acclaimed Violin Concerto (2011) and Piano Concerto "Dreamscapes" (2009), performed by Metropolis Ensemble with conductor Andrew Cyr, violinist Kristin Lee, and pianist Conor Hanick; and her Glimpses for prepared piano (2006), performed by Mr. Hanick. The concertos, both commissioned by Metropolis Ensemble, were recorded at Seiji Ozawa Hall at Tanglewood and produced by Tim Martyn.

The August broadcasts of The New York Philharmonic This Week - the weekly radio series of concerts and recordings by the New York Philharmonic, hosted by Alec Baldwin - begin with conductor Andrey Boreyko as he launches the Philharmonic's 2012 residency at Colorado's Bravo!

Arts Education returns to the Stamford Center for the Arts for the third straight year with a focus on music, dance, acting, musical theater and puppetry. With the generous support of presenting sponsors RFR Stamford and Purdue Pharma, SCA will present four unique experiences for the area's youth: SummerJazz, (generously supported by Pitney Bowes, Purdue Pharma, RFR Stamford and the Italian Center;) the Triple Threat Performer Intensive; Lumina String Quartet's Chamber Music Institute for Young Musicians and Jim West's "Dinosaurs."

Met Museum presents the New York Philharmonic's concert series CONTACT!, Jordi Savall's 'Orient-Occident: A Dialogue of Souls,' and New York ensemble Cirène's interpretation of a classic love story of the Middle East with music, dance and painting, all in June 2012. See details below.