Brian Wise

Found this artefact from an earlier era at the Kennedy Center: some “VR” glasses given out around the 2019 renovation.

"I'm thinking of this as a new creative freedom, in that we are producing in venues that are appropriate for the works we are presenting," says WNO's Francesca Zambello.

A man of the Chic 1920's Paris and a skilled composer of solemn sacred works: My latest @chicagosymphony video program note is all about Francis Poulenc: youtube.com/watch?v=2TVaOx…

At a time when "ultraprocessed" digital content ensnares people's attention spans, a call for action "in defense of our cognitive fitness." Lots of implications for classical music here. nytimes.com/2026/03/27/opi…

A Lebanese musician played his cello atop ruins earlier this month after strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs. Israeli strikes have hit multiple neighborhoods in Beirut as the war between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah escalates.

Samuel Barber wasn't the only mid-20th century American composer to write a big violin concerto. I looked those by Roy Harris, Walter Piston, William Schuman and others for @StringsMagazine: stringsmagazine.com/will-americas-…

The @aspenmusic Festival meets Spinal Tap: youtube.com/watch?v=0-UaEn…

Breaking News: The executive director of the National Symphony Orchestra is stepping down, the latest blow to the Kennedy Center as it struggles in the wake of President Trump’s effort to put his imprint on it. nyti.ms/4lbliJa

Opera singers respond to the "no one cares about this anymore" about opera remarks. nme.com/news/film/timo…

"...the last batch of Epstein files shows how easily the arts can be beholden to the whim of moneymen, no matter how unscrupulous, and the ways rich people can use culture as a way of trying to seem worldly or to earn benefits." telegraph.co.uk/music/classica…

An aside: I don't believe there have ever been so many commercial interruptions of a closing ceremony before this afternoon/evening.🙄 #NBCOlympics

Fond memories of seeing Nabucco here about 15 years ago. A no-brainer for a closing ceremony venue!

In study after study, old Italian violins don't come out sounding any better than modern ones, and yet their mystique and high auction prices persist. My latest piece for @StringsMagazine: stringsmagazine.com/past-perfect-w…

"Kennedy Center President Richard Grenell warned of upcoming staff cuts and the reality of 'skeletal teams' in a Tuesday night email to his staff that also touted a 'total renovation of the building beginning in early July.'” washingtonpost.com/style/2026/02/…

Gabriela Lena Frank postpones premiere due to fear of ICE pizzicato.lu/gabriela-lena-…

From a press release: Conductor Giancarlo Guerrero was first classical musician to be featured in Super Bowl Halftime show since Gustavo Dudamel’s appearance with YOLA in 2016. #badbunnysuperbowl

Verdi, Puccini and Rossini characters, with the latter’s music delivered in a techno-style arrangement. Yup, must be an Olympic #OpeningCeremony.

"The growing artist boycott was becoming untenable, a source familiar with the matter said. Kevin Couch, who served briefly as the center’s vice president of programming, was frustrated because he was struggling to attract well-known artists..." cnn.com/2026/02/01/pol…

The @THR review notes "several odd needle drops in the documentary," including Ravel's "Bolero": hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-r…