Issue #1

Date: 2012-01-20

Clare Wiley investigates Chinese president Hu Jintao’s recent claims that China needs to strengthen its own cultural production to defend against what he calls an assault from the West, and what implications this will have for the performing arts. 



Also in the news: the line-up for the 2012 Spoleto Festival USA is announced, Opera Boston is sadly forced to close, and we find out how a tragic horse riding accident was the inspiration for an uplifting new work by British composer Sally Beamish.



IAM also reports from Sweden, including profiles of the Swedish Theatre Union and the Swedish Chamber Orchestra. We chat to Lawrence Renes, new music director and chief conductor of the Royal Swedish Opera, about his plans for the Stockholm house. 



Meanwhile, maestro Gianandrea Noseda discusses his love of conducting, and how he keeps life interesting. In Comment, director of Music in Offices, Tessa Marchington, reveals why City workers should be singing for their lunches, and Diary writer Alexis Kirke fills us in on a week of preparations for the premiere of an exciting new composition that will make use of his hallucinations onstage.

Photo: The Göteborg Opera's Sleeping Beauty © Mats Bäcker

To get in touch with IAM's editorial team, please contact:

Maria at mroberts@impromptupublishing.com

or Clare at cwiley@impromptupublishing.com