Glinka spent three years in Italy from 1830 to 1833. He arrived in Italy as an accomplished musician. Glinka would always remember the musical evenings held in the salon of the Russian envoy, Vorontsov-Dashkov. Here, the composer met the renowned musical family of the Counts Bellgioioso. His main residence was Milan, the capital of opera … Continue reading “Mikhail Glinka’s Unrealised Italy”
Ballet in Motion: Darius Milhaud’s Le Bœuf sur le Toit and the Cinematic Influence on Modern Dance
For those who regard classical ballet as untouchable and ideal, French composer Darius Milhaud (1892–1974) challenges convention with his bold and eccentric one-act pantomime ballet, Le Bœuf sur le Toit (The Bull on the Roof) [1]. Inspired by his time in Brazil, Milhaud composed this vibrant work in 1919, embracing a playful mix of farce, … Continue reading “Ballet in Motion: Darius Milhaud’s Le Bœuf sur le Toit and the Cinematic Influence on Modern Dance”
Review on the Siemens–Hallé International Conductors Competition 2026
There are rare moments in classical music where you can quite literally witness a career begin. Sitting in the hall this spring, listening to the finalists of the Siemens–Hallé International Conductors Competition 2026, it felt very much like one of those moments. Held at the iconic The Bridgewater Hall, the competition has quickly established itself … Continue reading “Review on the Siemens–Hallé International Conductors Competition 2026”
Report on CamTAGS 2026 at Trinity College, Cambridge
On 30–31 March 2026, the historic courts of Trinity College, Cambridge, hosted the annual Theory and Analysis Graduate Students (TAGS) Conference, organised by the Society for Music Analysis (SMA). Bringing together postgraduate researchers from across the UK and beyond, CamTAGS 2026 offered not only a platform for presenting cutting-edge research, but also a welcoming and … Continue reading “Report on CamTAGS 2026 at Trinity College, Cambridge”
Rediscovering Celtic Heritage in Dublin: Musical Legacies across the Irish Sea
On 26–27 February 2026, I had the pleasure of participating in the international symposium Rediscovering Celtic Heritage: Musical Legacies across the Irish Sea, hosted at Trinity College Dublin . Set within the inspiring surroundings of the Trinity Long Room Hub Arts & Humanities Research Institute, the event brought together scholars, performers, and postgraduate researchers for … Continue reading “Rediscovering Celtic Heritage in Dublin: Musical Legacies across the Irish Sea”
Le Temps retrouvé: Reanimating Princess Zinaida Volkonskaya’s Salon in Paris
On 6 February 2026, in the elegant surroundings of the Conservatoire Rachmaninoff in Paris, the past felt startlingly close. Le Temps retrouvé: Salon Volkonskaïa was not simply a concert, but a carefully crafted reanimation of an early nineteenth-century world: the salon of Princess Zinaida Volkonskaya — writer, composer, singer, intellectual and one of the most … Continue reading “Le Temps retrouvé: Reanimating Princess Zinaida Volkonskaya’s Salon in Paris”
Reflections on Boris Godunov at the Royal Opera House
Attending Boris Godunov at the Royal Opera House in February 2026 felt less like witnessing a revived production and more like undergoing a prolonged psychological examination. This staging presented Mussorgsky’s original 1869 version, performed without an interval or the later additions that softened or expanded the opera’s architecture. The result was an uncompromising, concentrated experience … Continue reading “Reflections on Boris Godunov at the Royal Opera House”
UoB Research Students Take the Stage at the BFE/RMA Research Students’ Conference 2026
In early January 2026, Birmingham became a vibrant meeting point for emerging music scholars and creative practitioners, as the British Forum for Ethnomusicology and the Royal Musical Association welcomed researchers from across the UK and beyond for the BFE/RMA Research Students’ Conference (6–8 January 2026). Hosted at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, the three-day event offered an … Continue reading “UoB Research Students Take the Stage at the BFE/RMA Research Students’ Conference 2026”
Princess Zinaida Volkonskaya’s Romanesque estate: a cultural paradise in 19th-century Europe
Princess Zinaida Alexandrovna Volkonskaya (1789–1862) is a prominent figure in early 19th-century Russian cultural history, known not only for her talent as a singer and composer but also for her role as a salon hostess and patron of the arts. After many years of active cultural activity in Russia and Europe, Volkonskaya finally settled in … Continue reading “Princess Zinaida Volkonskaya’s Romanesque estate: a cultural paradise in 19th-century Europe”
Women, Archives and Forgotten Legacies: SEEM Conference Illuminates Eastern European Musical Voices
On 25 October, scholars from across Europe gathered at Senate House in London for the annual conference of the Study Group for Slavonic and East European Music (SEEM), held under the auspices of BASEES. The study day offered a compelling glimpse into the rich and often overlooked musical cultures of Eastern Europe, with a particular … Continue reading “Women, Archives and Forgotten Legacies: SEEM Conference Illuminates Eastern European Musical Voices”