by Jarrett Hoffman
IN THIS EDITION:
•Cristian Măcelaru to be Music Director of Cincinnati Symphony (“He understands that orchestras in American communities have the power to serve much better than we have in the past”)
•Anthony Roth Costanzo to be General Director and President of Opera Philadelphia (the rare “artist in his prime who is also working as an administrator”)
•Anthony Freud discusses European and American models of fundraising as he departs as General Director of Lyric Opera of Chicago (“I do think there is little depth of understanding on both sides of the Atlantic about life in the arts on the other side of the Atlantic”)
•Announcements: voting for The Music Settlement in the Parent Choice Awards, Akron Symphony’s Concerts for Kids, and Assembly for the Arts’ Small Biz Block Party
•Almanac: a playlist perfect for people whose musical tastes are all over the map
HIRINGS & RETIRINGS IN THE ARTS:
Cristian Măcelaru has been named the next Music Director of the Cincinnati Symphony, beginning a four-year term in the 2025-26 season. As Javier C. Hernández writes for The New York Times, “Macelaru has often spoken of making classical music accessible to a broader audience, and said he hoped to help expand music education efforts in Cincinnati.”
Countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo will be the next General Director and President of Opera Philadelphia. “Costanzo, 41, whose tenure starts in June, will be a rare figure in the classical music industry: an artist in his prime who is also working as an administrator,” Javier C. Hernández writes in the Times.
And this summer, Anthony Freud will retire from his post as general director of Lyric Opera of Chicago, returning to his home in London. Writing for VAN Magazine, Anna Schors spoke to Freud about a variety of topics, including the differences between European and American approaches to fundraising.
“I think the simplistic stereotype of my European colleagues assuming that American general directors are kicked around mercilessly by unconscionable wealthy donors is as wrong as the American perspective of European general directors dreaming about art and waiting for the next public funding check to drop through the letterbox.” Read the interview here.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The Music Settlement has been nominated for five Parent Choice Awards from Northeast Ohio Parent Magazine this year, including “Best Place for Children to Explore Music.” April 30 is the last day to vote.
The Akron Symphony’s Concerts for Kids series, designed for ages 2-6 with the theme “Music Moves Me,” runs from April 30 through May 6 with performances in Hudson, Akron, and Barberton. Tickets are available here.
May is National Small Business Month, and Assembly for the Arts will celebrate with the Small Biz Block Party on May 4 from 11 am to 2 pm at the 6700 Euclid Parking Lot, allowing you to connect with local business owners, residents, and entrepreneurial support organizations. Register here.
TODAY’S ALMANAC:
by Mike Telin
When researching births and passings for the Daily Diary it’s always interesting to see who pops up. Today, April 29, presented a list of seven interesting artists. What quickly became apparent is that the group presented the opportunity to create a playlist perfect for people whose musical tastes are all over the map — like mine.
First up is Russian composer, teacher, and conductor Anatoly Liadov, who was born on this day in 1855 in St. Petersburg. His best-known orchestral works include the tone poems Baba Yaga, Kikimora, and The Enchanted Lake. To hear a 1963 studio recording by George Szell and The Cleveland Orchestra of The Enchanted Lake, click here.
In 1879 conductor Sir Thomas Beecham, 2nd Baronet graced the world with his presence in St. Helens, Lancashire, England. Born into a wealthy industrial family, Beecham used the family fortune to finance his passion for opera, staging seasons at Covent Garden and Drury Lane. A champion of works by composers he felt were neglected in Britain, he was a strong advocate for the music of Delius. Click here to listen to Beecham lead The Royal Philharmonic in the composer’s On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring.
Born in Washington, D.C. in 1899, Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington would go on to become a celebrated composer, pianist, and band leader. During his long career, Ellington garnered a national and international profile through his orchestra’s appearances at Harlem’s Cotton Club and on European tours.
In 1989 Gunther Schuller wrote: “….[Music was Ellington’s] total life and his commitment to it was incomparable and unalterable. In jazz he was a giant among giants. And in twentieth century music, he may yet one day be recognized as one of the half-dozen greatest masters of our time.” Click here to listen to Ella Fitzgerald sing Ellington’s Mood Indigo.
Next up is Belgian jazz harmonica player Jean-Baptiste Frédéric Isidor, Baron Thielemans, better known as Toots Thielemans. Born in 1922, his first professional performances were with Benny Goodman’s band when they toured Europe in 1949 and 1950. His list of collaborators is a Who’s-Who in jazz. In 2009 Thielemans was named a Jazz Master by the National Endowment for the Arts. To listen to Thielemans perform Bluesette in Rotterdam, Netherlands, 2009, click here.
Born in Abbott, Texas in 1933, musician, actor, and social activist Willie Hugh Nelson earned critical success for his albums Shotgun Willie (1973), Red Headed Stranger (1975), and Stardust (1978). Additionally, Nelson has acted in over 30 films, co-authored several books, and has been involved in promoting the use of biofuels and the legalization of marijuana. Click here to listen to Nelson’s version of Irving Berlin’s Blue Skies.
Conductor Zubin Mehta entered the world in Mumbai, India, in 1936. He received his early musical training from his father, the founder of the Bombay Symphony Orchestra. Mehta has served as music director of the Montréal Symphony Orchestra, the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, and the New York Philharmonic. All in all, not a bad career. To listen to Zubin Mehta lead the New York Philharmonic in Offenbach’s Overture to “Orpheus in the Underworld,” click here.
Rounding out the list of April 29 birthdays is singer/songwriter China Forbes who entered the world in 1970 in Cambridge, Massachusetts. While studying visual arts at Harvard University, Forbes met pianist Thomas Lauderdale. Later while he was living in Portland, Oregon, Lauderdale asked Forbes to sing with his new band Pink Martini, a group he had created to perform at political fundraisers. Today she remains one of the ensemble’s lead singers. Click here to listen to Forbes perform her song Hey Eugene with Pink Martini.