Highlights 2015

Although Joseph Haydn is still regarded principally as a master of instrumental music, he was also one of the forward-looking opera composers of his day, devoting a significant portion of his working life to the genre. As the opera director for Prince Esterházy, he oversaw more than a thousand opera productions at the Esterházy court, which included popular stage works of the time, as well as his own. These two operas are unusual and ahead of their time in that it is women who take centre stage. These female protagonists are people of real flesh and blood, strong, pragmatic, and clearly representative of the spirit of the Enlightenment.

Somehow, leading Norway's Tristania to the top of the goth metal heap wasn't enough for vocalist/guitarist Morten Veland, who unilaterally seceded from the union in the year 2000 to found a brand-spanking-new though similar-sounding band named Sirenia…

Discover how to create solos and master playing lead guitar. Steve Stine, has taught thousands of guitarists over the last 20 years. He’s currently “Professor of Modern Guitar Studies” at North Dakota State University. He holds a bachelor’s degree in music education from Morehead State University. So, he knows how to teach.He toured the U.S. and England, playing lead-guitar in dozens of bands. He’s also been a studio guitarist for radio, TV and various recording projects.

Chaos magic is defined as an attitude or philosophy that promotes experimentation, play, and creativity while discarding dogmatic rules. It’s also a fitting description for the self-titled debut album ‘Chaos Magic’ released by the label, Frontiers Music. Written, produced and, for the most part, performed, by one-time Stratovarius guitarist, Timo Tolkki, the intention was to showcase the vocal talents of Chilean front-woman Caterina Nix…