Some news to start your week!

 

The big news this weekend was that James Levine is stepping down from the Met.  Anne Midgette talks about why a new conductor is long overdue – and WQXR speculates on who will fill the role.  (Spoiler: no one is being on a woman taking the baton.)

 

Composer Kate Soper won the Virgil Thomson award in vocal music, and the praise of Augusta Read Thomas.  Read more at The New York Times blog.

 

Negin Khpalwak, the first Afghan woman to conduct an orchestra, is receiving more well-deserved attention!  Follow this link to watch a video of Khpalwak and the all-female orchestra!

 

Fiona Maddocks of The Guardian has an interview with Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla, who is conductor-elect for the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.

 

What did we miss?  Leave a comment and link to what you’ve been reading!