Vajda named Artistic Advisor of Armel Opera Competition and Festival
Gregory Vajda is named the Artistic Advisor of the International Armel Opera Competition and Festival, effective immediately. As Artistic Advisor, Vajda will be responsible for programming, long term planning, judging vocal auditions and conducting special concerts and performances. The 2014 Festival takes place in Budapest from October 9 -17.
Gregory Vajda to Make Frankfurt Radio Symphony Debut
Conductor Gregory Vajda to make debut with the Frankfurt Radio Symphony on May 5th. Curated by the prestigious Hungarian composer Peter Eötvös, Vajda’s program presents four generations of Hungarian composers of the 21st century, including Vajda’s own composition.
‘Mesiah’ Marks a Truly Thankful Occasion for Bernard Labadie
When Bernard Labadie returns in December for his first engagement with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra since May 2014, he will be making just his second public appearances anywhere since an 18-month medical hiatus due to cancer. He’s not just fortunate to be back on the podium, he’s also lucky to alive. “Almost against all odds, it did work out,” he said.
Conductor Bernard Labadie on What Really Matters as You Face Death
Cancer not only halted Bernard Labadie’s conducting career in May 2014, but nearly took his life.
After waking up from a month-long coma in November of that same year, the celebrated conductor could barely stand up. Still, as his cancer went into remission, he began the difficult journey back to the podium.
Today, Labadie joins guest host Gill Deacon to share how his brush with death profoundly changed him as a man and artist — and what he really cared about as he felt his life slipping away.
“I was honestly supposed to be gone,” he tells Gill, recalling discussions of palliative care.
But as the artist made peace with his prognosis, life gave him the fragile, unexpected gift of a second chance.
Bernard Labadie Named Principal Conductor of Orchestra of St. Luke’s
Orchestra of St. Luke’s today announced the appointment of renowned French Canadian conductor Bernard Labadie as its next Principal Conductor, beginning a four-year term in the 2018-19 season.
As Principal Conductor, Labadie will lead Orchestra of St. Luke’s in its annual subscription series presented by Carnegie Hall, and at Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts.
Christoph Campestrini Appointed Kapellmeister of Vienna’s Hofkapelle
Christoph Campestrini has been appointed Kapellmeister at Vienna’s Hofkapelle, home of the Vienna Boys’ Choir. With the appointment, Campestrini joins the ranks of the historically important and influential musicians who have been members of the Hofkapelle. He will lead the famed Hofmusikkapelle, which includes the Vienna Boys’ Choir and members of the Vienna State Opera orchestra and chorus.
Honens Prize Laureate Katherine Chi to Light Up National Music Centre
The first Canadian and first woman to be named Honens Prize Laureate — Katherine Chi — will take to the stage this weekend at the National Music Centre and says even after all of those years tickling the ivories, she still gets nervous before a performance.
Steven Fox Receives Grammy Nomination for Best Choral Performance
Steven Fox is nominated for Best Choral Performance at the 61st Grammy Awards
OSL Announces New Bach Festival
To showcase [Bernard’s] expertise, the ensemble announced on Thursday that it would present an ambitious three-week Bach festival in June, including concerts and the six dances that Paul Taylor, the modern dance pioneer who died last month at 88, choreographed to Bach’s music.
World-renowned pianist Dubravka Tomšič Srebotnjak awarded Golden Order for Services
The Dubrovnik-born pianist is one of the most successful concert pianists in the world. She has won numerous awards for her achievements and has performed at some of the world’s most prestigious venues.