The State Symphony Orchestra of Russia (Svetlanov Symphony Orchestra) today announced that Vasily Petrenko has been appointed Principal Guest Conductor from the 2016/17 season. This appointment recognises the strong relationship between Maestro Petrenko and The Orchestra, one that has developed since his debut at the Grand Hall of the Moscow Conservatory in 2008. He returned to lead the orchestra during the 2013 Rachmaninov Festival and on tour to Austria’s prestigious Grafenegg Festival in 2015.

IMG Artists is pleased to announce that it has signed conductor Alexander Sladkovsky for General Management. He will be represented by Artist Manager Natalja Slobodyreva from the IMG Artists GmbH headquarters in Hannover.

Sir Antonio Pappano’s epic studio recording of Verdi Aida was triumphant at the 2016 BBC Music Magazine Awards. The universally acclaimed Warner Classics album, which features mezzo-soprano Ekaterina Semenchuk as Amneris, was named Recording of the Year and the Opera Recording of the Year at the ceremony held at London’s King’s Place on 5th April, 2016.

In September 2015 Bjarte Eike and Barokksolistene took London by storm when they performed two concerts at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse at Shakespeare’s Globe. Their performances were chosen by The Arts Desk as one of the highlights of the year. TAD’s Alexandra Coghlan writes, “if orchestras and opera houses could find just a drop of the warmth and affection these musicians bring to their performance then we could put those ‘death of classical music’ conversations to bed for good.”

Damiano Michieletto’s production of Cavalleria Rusticana/Pagliacci has won the 2016 Olivier Award for Best New Opera. The acclaimed Royal Opera House production was conducted by Olivier Award winner Sir Antonio Pappano. The awards, which were announced in a gala...

Marianne Crebassa has signed an exclusive recording contract with Erato. Hailed “splendidly charismatic” by The New York Times, the young French mezzo-soprano is “an absolute revelation” (Forum Opéra), praised for her “luscious voice” (Financial Times). Within a broad...