European American Music Distributors Company is a member of the Schott Music Group

Bringing the Music Home: Streaming Brings Performers and Audiences Together

Apr. 01, 2020

During this unprecedented time of social isolation, performing arts organizations around the world have found innovative ways to connect with their audiences. This is most apparent in the wealth of online streams, virtual concerts, and playlists -- from archival treasures to living-room performances, and everything in between. Below is a selection of organizations, ensembles, and artists offering outstanding virtual content. Many of these streams are presented at no cost, while others require a subscription or request a donation to sustain the artists and institutions. We hope that our readers will be inspired, entertained and uplifted by these excellent offerings.

OPERA America has compiled a comprehensive list of operatic streaming options in both North America as well as in Europe. Highlights from North American companies include daily livestreams from the Metropolitan Opera as part of their Live in HD series. These streams are preceded by pre-performance lectures by Utah Opera’s principal coach, Carol Anderson. Los Angeles Opera’s LAO At Home initiative presents a series of living room recitals, family-friendly content, behind-the-scenes features and more, while past performances by Pittsburgh Opera will be streamed every Saturday through May 2 on Pittsburgh Opera@Home, broadcast by WQED-FM. Chicago Opera Theater’s INNER WORKINGS, a new series of online conversations about the opera industry today, begins on April 14. These discussions, free and open to the public (registration is required), will be hosted and moderated by Staley Music Director Lidiya Yankovskaya. 

Videos on demand are available from a number of companies including The American Opera Project (AOP), Beth Morrison Projects, Cincinnati Opera, and more, while Lyric Opera of Chicago, Seattle Opera, and others are sharing their educational and artistic resources with families around the world.

Numerous orchestras have opened their archives to eager audiences. These include the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Detroit Symphony, the London Symphony Orchestra, and other outstanding ensembles, while the 92Y, The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Wigmore Hall, and other presenters are doing the same.


(Live From Backstage at the Barbican - Oliver Soden, Sally Groves, Neil Percy, and David Owen Norr discuss Michael Tippett's last work, The Rose Lake,before a London Symphony Orchestra Performance)


World-class contemporary music ensembles at the forefront of innovation continue to engage audiences remotely during this time. In addition to the International Contemporary Ensemble’s robust digital music library, listeners can visit their website to participate in The World Wide Tuning Meditation produced by Music on the Rebound, an online music festival designed to bring people together through music and support performing artists affected by the COVID-19 crisis. Similarly, Third Coast Percussion continues to rise to the challenges of the day, streaming a concert (originally scheduled to be performed at DePauw University) from their Chicago-based studio on April 22. On May 17, they will host the aptly titled, “How Do You Get to Carnegie Hall/How Do We all Get to 2021?”, a virtual party to support TCP’s Carnegie Hall debut as well as to help sustain the artists during this period of economic uncertainty. Additionally, Sō Percussion has embarked on a new project re-interpreting music from their third album Amid the Noise, with music by founding member Jason Treuting. Amid the Noise is designed to be modular and flexible, with many different possible versions. Listeners are invited to participate in the music-making for a particularly immersive experience. Details can be found here.

These groups, and countless others, continue to add virtual performances, lectures, and gatherings to their calendars. Visit the websites and social media pages of your favorite ensembles frequently for the most accurate and up-to-date information.

News