Music News

Marin Alsop leads the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. On Monday, management and musicians announced a new one-year contract, ending a bitter labor dispute.

Music & Culture

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra And Musicians End Contentious Contract Dispute

10:04am September 24, 2019

by Tom Huizenga

The battle between management and musicians, which reached a low point with a June lockout by management, ended Monday with the ratification of a new one-year contract.

Music & Culture

Lenny Kravitz's Sunglasses Were Taken In LA, He Wants Them Back

6:54am September 24, 2019

Kravitz wrote on social media: "They are incredibly sentimental to me, they are vintage and they belonged to a family member." He even created an email account for tips.

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Opera singer Plácido Domingo performs in Szeged, Hungary, on Aug. 28. In a meeting on Saturday, the Metropolitan Opera's general manager discussed why he has not suspended or investigated Domingo, who has been accused of sexual misconduct by 20 women.

Music & Culture

Met Opera Chief: 20 Women's Accusations Against Plácido Domingo 'Not Corroborated'

10:41pm September 23, 2019

by Anastasia Tsioulcas

In a closed-door meeting with the company's chorus and orchestra, General Manager Peter Gelb argued that the Met has no reason to investigate the famed opera singer or to cancel his performances.

Composer Christopher Rouse, photographed in New York City in 2005.

Music & Culture

Remembering The 'Fast And Furious' Music Of Christopher Rouse

3:52pm September 23, 2019

by Tom Huizenga

Conductor Marin Alsop and composer Nico Muhly recall their friend and colleague who wrote deeply expressive music.

Holy Trinity Music School's youth choir and chamber orchestra perform in the Smithsonian's Enid A. Haupt garden in Washington, D.C.

Music & Culture

10 Years After Haiti's Earthquake, 'This Music School Will Never Stop'

8:31am September 22, 2019

by Melissa Block

Nearly 10 years ago, an earthquake devasted Haiti, destroying a legendary music school. A youth choir and orchestra have been touring the US and hope to rebuild their school in Port-au-Prince.

Music & Culture

My Signature Song: 'Defying Gravity'

7:46am September 21, 2019

Kaley Johnson of Fort Worth, Texas, shares her "signature song." It's "Defying Gravity" from the musical "Wicked" written by Stephen Schwartz.

Kemba's latest album, Gilda, is out now.

Music & Culture

Through Grief and Growing Pains, Kemba Creates 'Gilda'

7:10pm September 20, 2019

New York rapper Kemba speaks with NPR's Audie Cornish about the themes of his debut album, Gilda, and the emotional labor that went into making it.

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The Archies is not only the first fictitious band to reach No. 1 on the Billboard charts in the U.S., but is also the only group to reach such heights without ever performing the song live onstage.

Music & Culture

50 Years Later, The Archies' 'Sugar, Sugar' Is Still 'Really Sweet'

6:25pm September 20, 2019

by Ashley Westerman

Fifty years ago, the song "Sugar, Sugar" by The Archies reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The single by the cartoon band would go on to be named 1969's song of the year.

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Gang Starr — left, Guru, with DJ Premier — photographed in July 1998.

Music & Culture

Gang Starr, Hip-Hop's Chilliest Pair Of Heads, Returns

12:08pm September 20, 2019

by Mano Sundaresan

The East Coast kings of understated confidence and louche jazz interpolation drop a surprise on their fans, with an assist from J. Cole.

Opera star Plácido Domingo performing in Szeged, Hungary, on Aug. 28.

Music & Culture

Met Opera Faces 'One More Catastrophic Crisis' As Employees Must Work With Domingo

11:51am September 20, 2019

by Anastasia Tsioulcas

One of opera's most popular and bankable stars is scheduled to sing at New York's famed opera house next week. But a number of Met employees say that they find the situation untenable.