When music is no longer the afterthought
For many years ‘music for theatre’ wasn’t even recognised in the Olivier or Evening Standard awards, but the tid…
Posts
Organisations are paralysed, but the musicians play on
“It is the art they want, not the buildings”. Jessica Walker says it’s time to rethink the structures that allow…
The ‘new normal’: will the only artists left be enthusiastic amateurs?
Our much-discussed social and mental health relies on having something to live for and cherish during and after this existential s…
Falling between the cracks
The financial fallout from the cancellation and postponement of hundreds of orchestral performances is taking a heavy toll on both…
Classical music must face up to abuse
Harassment will continue until institutions are willing to take difficult decisions, says Jonathan Knott.
My Gurus: ‘the route less travelled’
Mahogany Opera Artistic Director Frederic Wake-Walker looks back at the people who taught him to make art like you're making h…
First encounters with opera
Many children steer well clear of opera, but the artform has allowed primary school pupils in Norfolk to discover new heights of c…
Breakthrough opportunities in opera
Opera Holland Park’s Young Artists scheme, which gives participants the chance to be part of the main season, has become an…
New Chief Executive for English National Opera
Television Executive Stuart Murphy will lead ENO from April as it re-enters Arts Council England’s national portfolio for th…
Paying less for opera
Are free and discount ticket schemes key to reaching new audiences or do they simply benefit existing bookers? Michael Volpe share…
Royal Welsh College launches new opera school with WNO
The school will provide professional experience for designers, stage managers and arts managers, alongside training for singers an…
Reflecting the world
No wonder there is so much talk about the death of opera when people are excluded from it all the time, says Bill Bankes-Jones. Bu…
Digital initiative to drive community screenings
A new digital distribution platform is piloting an initiative that will see filmed performances by leading cultural institutions s…
Obituary: Lloyd Newton
Kim Morgan pays tribute to the founder of Pegasus Opera Company and people’s champion Lloyd Newton, who died earlier this mo…
Edinburgh theatre to host UK’s first dementia-friendly opera performance
Sound and lighting will be adjusted and movement between the auditorium and the foyer will be encouraged to welcome people living…
What video content do audiences want?
From trailers and vox pops to backstage sneak peeks, the arts sector produces reams of video footage, but what impact does this co…
Reimagining opera
From an all-male ‘CarMen’ to a gay-themed Tosca, Robin Pietà reveals how Secret Opera is helping opera to shed its st…
The vital ingredients
Opera North’s singing programmes were recently praised for greatly improving the SATs results at two primary schools. B…
Charity Commission considers inquiry into National Funding Scheme
Founding trustee William Makower has spoken publicly about how he always intended the NFS to move into the wider charity sector, b…
EXCLUSIVE: Facts behind National Funding Scheme exposed
The national online giving platform, which charges among the highest fees of all suppliers, has been propped up by a £125k g…
Are intervals necessary?
Are theatre intervals a helpful pause or an annoying inconvenience? Rachel Beaumont puts the question to Royal Opera House audienc…
Big exposure
A YouTube network dedicated to the arts, in receipt of significant government funding and aiming to attract not millions but billi…
UK leads the way in Creative Europe application success
LIFT and ENO are among the 48 UK organisations benefitting from European Union grant money
Cohesion or conflict
Frances Williams says it’s time to drop the false optimism surrounding arts projects in areas of social deprivation and…
