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New York Times: A Puppet Theater Sparks a Performance Career

LONDON–For his fifth birthday, Offir Dagan’s parents took the electronic innards out of an old black-and-white television set and turned the wooden case into a puppet theater for their son.

Shlomo and Dorit Dagan didn’t realize it at the time, but their gift would put him on his career path — he now is 36 and a choreographer, performer and artistic director for professional dance training at the Bikurey Ha’Itim Art Center in Tel Aviv.

“I come from a huge family,” Mr. Dagan said, “and all my cousins had brothers and sisters, so I was bored when I was home by myself.” Read more

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New York Times: Agata Zubel, Contemporary Music’s Multiple Threat

WROCLAW, POLAND — With her right hand on her hip, Agata Zubel stood in front of a large black music stand, listening intently to the conversation between the members of eighth blackbird, a six-piece Chicago-based ensemble working on the contemporary classical piece “Madrigal,” by the French composer Christophe Bertrand. Read more

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International New York Times: Weekend Courses Encourage Female Conductors

OXFORD, England — Dressed in shorts with tights and sneakers, her brown hair pulled back, Charlotte Lynch looked like any other 25-year-old graduate student when she stepped to the podium in front of the eight-piece string orchestra. Read more

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Wall Street Journal: Europe Tunes Into its Own Country Music Scene

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LONDON– The Common Linnets were the surprise hit of this year’s Eurovision song contest, a competition usually swept by pop tunes. With viewers from all over Europe texting and phoning to cast their vote, Dutch country artists Ilse DeLange and Waylon brought the house down and came in second with “Calm After the Storm.” Their duet, with its slide guitars and heart-tugging harmonies, has since become a top-10 hit across the continent, and the band is in negotiations with a major U.S. country-music label. “In Europe, when you say you do country music, it used to not be cool,” says Ms. DeLange, who sports very Dolly Parton-like dimples, “but it is becoming much more mainstream.” Read more

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IHT/New York Times: Northern Ireland’s Musical Riches Emerge From the Shadows

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BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND— A Plastic Rose, whose debut album is being released this month, already has the presence of a band that will feel at home on a stadium tour. The band members gained experience this year opening a few shows for Snow Patrol (three of their five members are from Northern Ireland), and at a recent small gig at Belfast’s Oh Yeah Music Centre, the crowd went wild for songs like “Oceans” and “Kids Don’t Behave Like This.” Also on the bill that evening were two other talented, yet wildly diverse bands: the spunky, quirky Wonder Villains and the melodic Pretty Child Backfire, both of which have devoted followings. Read more

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