On 16 May 1868, the New Town Theatre in Prague saw the premiere of Bedřich Smetana’s opera Dalibor. The premiere sounded on the day of the ceremonial laying of the foundation stone of the National Theatre with the composer conducting.

Born in San Diego on 15 May 1970, Anne Akiko Meyers is undoubtedly one of the world’s most esteemed violinists. Possessing flawless technique and artistry, critics and audiences marvel at her “wonderous palette of tones that range from edgy and

Once a status symbol for middle-class families, pianos are now nearly impossible to even give away. It’s true that an old piano is costly to move and pricey to refurbish, but I was viscerally distressed to read how many pianos

In a ranking of madcap artists and composers, Erik Satie would almost certainly take first prize. His whacky eccentricities, tied to the subconscious world of chimera and dream, are surely the essence of French decadence. As we approach his birthday

It seems like everyone in the music world has opinions about the music of John Cage. Some people love his work, while others loathe it. Regardless of how you feel, it’s always a great idea to learn more about any

All beginnings are difficult, but you have to start somewhere. This might well have been the motto for Guntram, the first opera by Richard Strauss. Or, as the composer himself declared, “all of Guntram is a prelude.” Working on the

As this article is being written around the Christmas period, and the Christian churches are filled with festive religious music, let’s have a better look at the different types of sacred music, their composers, and how they have evolved over

Born in Stockholm, Sweden, on 9 May 1955, Anne Sofie von Otter is one of the finest singers of her generation. Internationally recognised as a concert and recital singer of exceptional gifts, von Otter has built an incomparable catalogue of