Editorial

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As I look back on 2007, I cannot help but marvel at the pace of technology and its ability to enable accessibility. Last year, the Met made good use of technological advances when it introduced its Metropolitan Opera Live in HD telecasts at movie theatres around the world. Its resounding success has taken many by surprise and the momentum of this success can only be expected to accelerate in 2008, given that even encore presentations of the live performances are filling theatres everywhere. Where there’s money to be made, competition is soon to follow and the Met will no longer be the only option in town (see the Notes section) – a nice dilemma for audiences to have!

This year, I predict that we will see the convergence of old technologies with the web. There are now over 50,000 internet radio stations, of which 5,000 play classical music. Imagine if your radio receiver could tune in to all 50,000 channels! Internet Radio Receivers are now on the market and LSM will be there to guide you through these exciting times.

As a global leader in music and arts online, LSM also continues to make good use of the available technology. We’ve added a new blog to our website offering news, reviews and commentary (we’ve had over 70 posts in our first month) and recently introduced unique features such as Today’s Musician Birthdays (including selected videos) and LSM Newswire, a free service for disseminating music and arts press releases (more than 80 press releases have been posted in one month). As well, all of our CD reviews are now published online even before the print version of our magazine hits the stands! Watch for more services to be launched to further benefit the artistic community. In March, we will be introducing our “NEW RELEASES” section (for CDs, DVDs, books, instruments and accessories) in our print magazine and online.

This month’s cover features clarinetist André Moisan who celebrates 30 years of playing with the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. His battle to overcome stress makes for an interesting and insightful read. As well, we introduce Julie Boulianne as our rising star as she takes on the role of Rosina at the Opéra de Montréal.

We continue our series on composer Claude Vivier and as we honor our musical heroes, we take a look at Maria Callas’ life from a psychological angle. With their recent passing, we pay homage to musical greats Karlheinz Stockhausen and Oscar Peterson.

This issue also takes a look at the 11th Annual Opus Awards presented by the Conseil québecois de la musique (CQM) as it honors musician and composer Otto Joachim who remains very active at 97.

On behalf of my team of staff and volunteers, I wish you a wonderful and healthy 2008! Remember to take the time to treat yourself to “La Scena.”

P.S. This year, La Scena Musicale’s 3rd Annual Valentine’s Day Fundraising initiative is An Evening at the Opera, which includes tickets to Opéra de Montréal’s performance of Rossini’s Barber of Seville, a story of young love overcoming adversity. Included in this package will be a gift bag containing a recording of the opera. Tickets are limited so please reserve early.

As a non-profit charity, LSM counts on your active support of its various fundraising activities throughout the year as well as your generous donations.