There are changes  afoot in the Concert Hall of the Sydney Opera House, aimed at improving the acoustic. More at: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/opinion/acoustic-alterations-at-the-opera-house-must-retain-the-architectural-harmony-of-the-hall/story-fn9n9z9n-1226420429346     What’s the obsession with expecting musicians to have the stamina of an athlete, the technique of the possessed and the looks of a deity? http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/review/making-beautiful-music/story-fn9n8gph-1226416992126     Review the Australian Chamber Orchestra’s current touring…

How will we access music over the next decade? http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/mp3s/music-revolution-20120705-21jmo.html     A new organ in unveiled in Sydney: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/traveller-over-seas-and-years-20120707-21nqz.html     A review of the weekend’s Sydney Symphony concert conducted by conductor designate David Robertson: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/shifting-layers-have-rewards-20120705-21jt9.html

“The Melba Foundation was established to promote Australia’s finest classical musicians and artists in the national and international music world”  says the opening statement on the home page of Melba Recordings. It continues: “The appointed role of the foundation is to help the best contemporary Australian musicians…. develop a profile and continue to build musical…

The orchestra pit of the Opera Theatre in the Sydney Opera House wasn’t big enough to accommodate the 86 orchestral musicians required for Opera Australia’s present production of Korngold’s “Die tote Stadt”. Answer: take them off-site and link them to the theatre with video and acoustic technology. Matthew Westwood of The Australian has the full story: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/music/pits-not-up-to-it-so-piped-musics-the-go/story-fn9d2mxu-1226409545488

William Barton receives a standing ovation for his performance with the Sydney Symphony: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/hail-the-didgeridoo-virtuoso-20120628-2156p.html Michael Shmith reviews DG’s 82 CD set release of Herbert von Karajan’s 1060s recordings: http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/a-school-reunion-of-sorts-20120628-213fy.html …and a new Chief Executive for the Sydney Opera House: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/ex-belvoir-head-to-run-opera-house/story-e6frg8n6-1226412792951