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CD of lullabies by Hayley Westenra to be delivered to mothers who give birth on the same day as Kate

Expectant mothers who give birth on the same day as the Duchess of Cambridge can expect an extra delivery - an album of lullabies by soprano Hayley Westenra.

Presenter of Woman's Hour, Jenni Murray

Jenni Murray to conduct BBC Philharmonic orchestra - despite having no musical training

Woman's Hour presenter Jenni Murray has announced that she will be conducting the BBC Philharmonic orchestra - despite not being able to read music.

Opera singers Angela Gheorghiu, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and Anna Netrebk

Starving opera stars need 'beef' to sing says Dame Kiri Te Kanawa

Why do all female classical musicians have to be thin and sexy?

Sergei Polunin dancing Narcisse at Sadler's Wells in March

Ballet’s ‘bad boy’ Sergei Polunin bounds back on to centre stage

Dancer apologises for latest mystery walk-out but says he’s ready to return

Stephen Fry to Ignite his passion for opera at festival

Stephen Fry has been named as the curator of an annual opera festival. The actor and comedian will take the helm at this year’s Deloitte Ignite festival which will explore the work of composers Verdi and Wagner.

Richard Wagner (1813 - 1883), German composer, conductor, critic and author, circa 1860.

Germany celebrates bicentennial of Richard Wagner

Germany today celebrated the 200th birthday of Richard Wagner, the 19th-century composer whose music has been hailed as sublime art at the height of Western culture even as he remains tainted by his visceral anti-Semitic views, which later found favour with the Nazis.

Australian saxophonist Amy Dickson has hit the top of the UK Classical charts

Chart-topper Amy Dickson reclaims the joy of sax for classical fans

It is the brassy musical upstart, whose siren tone indicates the arrival of a femme fatale. But the saxophone is finally coming of age after an Australian musician topped the classical chart with an album that returns the instrument to its orchestral roots.

The Queen's official composer Sir Peter Maxwell Davies is undergoing chemotherapy for leukaemia

Queen's composer Sir Peter Maxwell Davies has leukaemia

The Queen's official composer Sir Peter Maxwell Davies is undergoing chemotherapy for leukaemia.

Magic wand: Sir Colin Davis

Daniel Harding to conduct BBC Prom tribute to Sir Colin Davis

Daniel Harding will conduct a BBC Prom due to have been given by Sir Colin Davis who died last month aged 85.

Terry Gilliam to make ENO comeback as opera bosses express cuts fears

The chiefs of the English National Opera believe that next month’s spending review will be “crucial” in shaping the future of the arts in Britain.

Classical review: West, Collon, RPO, Cadogan Hall, London

Ever since Bartok, Stravinsky, and Prokofiev hit their respective jackpots, composers have reserved the right to turn their ballets and operas into concert suites.

Marin Alsop will be the first woman to conduct the Last Night at the Proms in its 119 year history

Marin Alsop to be first woman to conduct Last Night of The Proms after 119 years

More than a century of male-dominated baton wielding will finally be brought to an end when Marin Alsop becomes the first woman to conduct the Last Night of the Proms. 

George Beverly Shea has died aged 104

Baritone George Beverly Shea dies aged 104

George Beverly Shea, whose booming baritone voice echoed through stadiums, squares and souls during a decades-long career with evangelist Billy Graham, has died aged 104.

Spanish tenor Placido Domingo

Placido Domingo to receive ceremonial Freedom of the City of London

Spanish opera singer Placido Domingo is in the UK today to receive the ceremonial Freedom of the City of London.

LSO conductor Sir Colin Davis dies

Conductor Sir Colin Davis has died at the age of 85, the London Symphony Orchestra has announced.

 

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