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We speak to young soprano Jasmin Binde about singing The Fairy Queen, the dauntingly crowded world of Early music in Germany, its challenges and opportunities.

As the idiosyncratic, laconic Hungarian composer approaches his 100th birthday, we talk to Pierre-Laurent Aimard about his decades-long relationship with György Kurtág, on his unique playfulness and gift-giving. 

With a contract at Berlin’s Komische Oper extended to 2030, conductor James Gaffigan is soon to take up the music directorship at Houston Grand Opera from 2027. We talk about how he does it all...

The trailblaizing playwright makes a return to the operatic stage to direct a new production of Strauss’ Salome with Regents Opera – held in an old boxing venue, an apt location given the opera’s bloody subject...

Vanessa Latarche, professor of Piano at the Royal College of Music and chair of Hastings’ jury, talks about what makes the competition special, working with Sir Stephen Hough, and being a stickler for fairness.

With significant works by Louise Farrenc, Augusta Holmès and Clémence de Grandval – including two grand operas – Palazzetto Bru Zane is pioneering rediscovery of French music of the 19th century. 

The newly established Pehlivanian International Conducting Competition’s unusually open format – with in-person auditions in 15 cities around the world – aims to search out the best conducting talent, no matter its origins.

How is the classical music world changing? Looking back on a dizzying year, we pay particular attention to performers’ international connectedness. Documenting more than 30,000 events, Bachtrack’s statistics provide valuable insight into an unstable world.

At the intersection of mathematics and music, the Festum Pi festival brings together theorists and performers to explore one of humanity’s oldest intellectual duets. We spoke with participant Professor Bertrand Maury, acclaimed mathematician and a concert pianist, about this enduring connection.

Young trombonist Meggie Murphy talks about the challenges of becoming a professional musician, the importance of mentorship, and the important role played by LSO Conservatoire Scholarship scheme.

With performances all over the city, amid some of Barcelona’s world renowned architecture, Ciutat de Clàssica offers a way to experience the city through music, away from the tourist throngs...

Elisabeth Schwarz sits down with the British conductor to talk about his history of mental illness, his coming out and his journey back to the joy of music.

The young Belgian conductor has had a long association with the Flanders Symphony – and this January he takes the chief’s baton from departing Kristiina Poska, who reaffirmed the orchestra’s crisp, classical sound.

Lute player and guitarist Élodie Brzustowski talks about the challenges of the two-metre long theorbo, rediscovering guitar music of the 1830s, and the multifaceted Early music scene in France.

Ahead of performances with Insula orchestra in February, the South Korean pianist talks about taking inspiration from Beethoven’s harmony, early pianos, and making musical choices that are maximally persuasive.

We sit down with two of the opera world’s leading figures, and masterminds of Brussels’ La Monnaie (De Munt) – how do they balance the competing challenges and thrills of running an opera house?

The Irish soprano talks about singing Mozart’s Così fan tutte with English National Opera, in London and Manchester – and how the wily Despina is the perfectly subversive character for her. 

Thomas Leininger’s Baroque-inspired children’s opera at Geneva’s La Cité Bleue is a unique stylistic departure, which asks the essential question: what happened to the dinosaurs left off Noah’s Ark?

From Buxtehude, Bach and Handel, to contemporary composer Liza Lim, we take a tour of the myriad forms of composers’ handwriting and calligraphy – and how music makes itself on the page.

A century after its founding in 1926, former members of Ballet Rambert recall the joys and challenges of working directly with Dame Marie Rambert, one of the trailblazers of British ballet.

Bryce Dessner enters the Czech Philharmonic’s living tradition with electric guitars, a new cello concerto and a composer’s ear for landscape, history, collaboration and renewal.

Featuring the cream of Hungary’s classical music talent – including the Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra – this new competition named after Sir Georg Solti is a prestigious addition to a crowded competitive calendar...

What do you buy for the culture lover in your life who seems to have everything? Here are some music and dance-related gifts that Bachtrack staff are giving or hoping to receive for Christmas this year.

Young composer and pianist Christopher Jessup talks about recent projects, including an orchestral work for the London Symphony Orchestra – and the importance of emotional authenticity in contemporary music.

The great ballerinas of the 19th century were perhaps the first modern celebrities. Rather than bare all, their images cultivated a mysterious, supernatural aura that made them seem unattainable.

Fact v fiction: with a new television serialisation of Shaffer’s play about to screen, just how mediocre a composer was Salieri and how did the myth that Salieri poisoned Mozart take hold?

Renowned German violinist talks about the life-changing effects of International Violin Competition of Indianapolis, how it feels more like a violin festival, and how there are no small or big concerts.

A hugely successful composer of bel canto opera, Gaetano Donizetti had a lasting impact, with many of his operas entering regular rotation in houses around the world for almost 200 years. 

Next June and July will see MS6’s latest in impressively starry music-focused cruises, a 15-day journey to many locations around the Mediterranean, aboard the opulent liner Explora I.

The British countertenor, who’s riding the crest of a wave this year, talks about his passion for good storytelling in opera, his favourite roles and the art of Zen Buddhism.

With a remarkably extensive season featuring a slew of major guests, and the cream of Japanese classical music talent, the TMSO has an uncanny ability to switch between musical styles on a dime. 

Birmingham Royal Ballet soloist Sofia Liñares talks about the joys and fears of dancing multiple roles and performances of Sir Peter Wright’s The Nutcracker.

The German conductor talks about good fortune, taking on new opera productions, his experiences as a musician in the pit as well as at the podium, and why Prague State Opera is “super!”.

Young viola player Elliot Kempton, member of the Fibonacci Quartet, talks about the LSO Conservatoire Scholarship scheme, which aims to alleviate the acute financial pressures facing young musicians today...

In 2026, Opéra national de Paris presents its first complete cycle of Wagner’s Ring for over a decade, with productions directed by Calixto Bieito. We dig into these striking and provocative productions...

Before their third major tour of the UK and Ireland, conductor András Keller ushers us into the world of Concerto Budapest and shares his ideas on why live music is more needed than ever.

Magdalena Kožená, která byla spolu se svým manželem Sirem Simonem Rattlem oceněna Cenou Antonína Dvořáka za rok 2025, hovoří o bohatství české hudby, jazykových bariérách a důležitosti čtení programních poznámek.

Awarded with the 2025 Antonín Dvořák Award together with her husband Sir Simon Rattle, Magdalena Kožená talks about the richness of Czech music, language barriers, and the importance of reading programme notes.

Fresh out of her triumphant appearance in La sonnambula at the Met, soprano Nadine Sierra talks about being on a turning point in her career. 

One of only 60 surviving cellos by the Cremonese master, Kian Soltani’s ‘London, ex-Boccherini’ cello is reunited with many other Stradavari instruments at J & A Beare’s Chamber Music Festival in December.

We talk to young recorder player António Godinho about the burgeoning Early music scene in Portugal – and the music of Vicente Lusitano, Europe’s earliest recorded composer of colour. 

The Finnish conductor talks about becoming Music Director at Singapore Symphony from 2026 – and creating programmes for the unique cultural melting pot that the orchestra sits at the centre of... 

Taking a broad look at the current state of Early music across Europe, we talk to young artists in several countries – beginning with talented young Czech violinist, Vojtěch Jakl. 

Choreographer Kim Brandstrup talks about his remarkable collaboration with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, and a group of professional hip-hop dancers and students from Camden’s Acland Burghley School.

From instruments played with water to early electronic devices promoted by the Nazis, we take a look at the surprising history of instruments named after their creators.

The Belgian-Moroccan choreographer talks about exploring his multi-faceted identity through dance – and how choreographing Johann Strauss II gave him insights into war and politics...

From fulfilling funerary functions, to eulogising friends and fellow artists, or lamenting the waste of war: here are some of the finest examples of music written in mourning.

Music ran through the veins of Johann Strauss II and – despite his father’s opposition – he went on to compose many of the greatest waltzes ever.

While London can often seem daunting, the Southbank Centre offers a heady mix of culture – music, theatre, film and contemporary art – within easy walking distance of under a mile.

Prolific film composer Bear McCreary has branched into the world of art song, in a new cycle written for Duo Atlantis, performed at Carnegie Hall later this month.