Performer: Dawn Upshaw

Planners of the Lucerne Festival at the Kultur und Kongresshaus Luzern (KKL) set out to change the preconception that conductors are generally male. With a theme entitled “Prima Donna”, the aim is to promote female conductors.

New Yorkers flocked to BAM on Thursday to celebrate the beginning of the Next Wave Festival 2014. Even more discerning audiences were just around the corner at BAM’s Harvey Theater for a program that featured soprano Dawn Upshaw and pianist Gilbert Kalish.

The Australian Chamber Orchestra struggle with John Adams before finding their form in the music of Grieg, Maria Schneider (with Dawn Upshaw as soloist) and Elgar.