Simon Rattle will leave his post as chief conductor and artistic director of the Berlin Philharmonic when his contract ends in 2018, he said Thursday.

Russian opera diva Galina Vishnevskaya, who conquered audiences all over the world with her rich soprano, has died. Vishenvskaya, widow of famed cellist Mstislav Rostropovich, was 86.

Rivera originated some of theater's most memorable roles, including Anita in 1957's "West Side Story," and is currently starring in the ensemble musical "The Mystery Of Edwin Drood."

The chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts is stepping down after three years on the job.

Kelli O'Hara will be taking a break from singing Gershwin songs on Broadway early next year - to sing Rodgers & Hammerstein tunes with the The New York Philharmonic.

The lights went up again on Broadway Wednesday for the first time since superstorm Sandy hit New York, as entertainers headed back to work in a city still wracked by power-outages and a suspended subway system.

German composer Hans Werner Henze, whose prolific and wide-ranging work included a wealth of operas and 10 symphonies, died Saturday.

A top Turkish pianist and composer appeared in court on Thursday to defend himself against charges of offending Muslims and insulting Islam in comments he made on Twitter.

An opera-loving philanthropist convicted in New York of a multimillion-dollar fraud has been freed on bail to await the outcome of his appeal.

 Israel's president has recognized Indian-born conductor Zubin Mehta for his contributions to Israeli society.

James Levine plans to return to the podium at the Metropolitan Opera in May following a two-year absence, conducting from a wheelchair following a fall last year that left him partially paralyzed.

The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra is canceling a fifth week of concerts as contract negotiations with the musicians union remain deadlocked.

President Hugo Chavez won re-election Sunday, defeating challenger Henrique Capriles and gaining six more years to cement his legacy and press ahead with his crusade for socialism in Venezuela.

New York Public Advocate Bill de Blasio has proposed a plan to finance education initiatives by raising income taxes on the wealthy.

Across the country, symphony and chamber orchestra executives have cited flat ticket sales and slumping private support as they seek major pay concessions from musicians.

The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, started by Kodak founder George Eastman 90 years ago, is facing an operating deficit that could exceed $700,000.

A stage performance by bikini-clad women wearing headpieces styled after traditional Peking Opera has sparked debate in China after photos were made public this week.

Federal officials say a six-acre plot in northern New Jersey that was once contaminated with radioactive thorium has been officially removed from the nation's Superfund list.

Universal Music Group can buy the famed British music company EMI but must sell off the company's classical music divisions, say regulators.

The NYPD will widen its videotaping of interrogations to include all suspects in murder and sexual assault cases.