The Classical:NEXT Podcast

In this episode, David talks with Grammy-winning countertenor and General Director & President of Opera Philadelphia Anthony Roth Costanzo.

Described as “One of the world’s most important singers” by the Los Angeles Times, Anthony is a trailblazer on the international stage whose performances cross experimental opera, broadway, and film. But he is now also known for the innovation he does off the stage as well as on it.

When he took over Opera Philadelphia, shortly before the 2024-25 season, it was on a path to bankruptcy, with 12 weeks to raise $4 million. But through he calls "creative fundraising” he ended his first year with a $1.5 million surplus, and has helped build Opera Philadelphia into an innovative powerhouse that draws in new audiences while significantly growing their donor base.

In this conversation, we dive into how Opera Philadelphia is breaking industry conventions to create a culture of discovery and accessibility. We look at the 'pick-your-price' ticketing strategy, the psychology behind donor engagement and audience behavior, and why organizations must embrace risk to drive true innovation. We also explore the power of external cross-sector partnerships, the role of modern musician entrepreneurship, and how changing the structures around opera can connect the art form with new audiences.

Join us in Katowice, Poland for Classical:NEXT 2027 from the 11th to the 14th of May: www.classicalnext.com

Follow us on: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

The Classical:NEXT Podcast:

Hosted by David Taylor

Produced by Aliena Haig

Learn more: classicalnext.com/update/introducing-the-classicalnext-podcast

www.classicalnext.com

In this episode, David talks with award-winning contemporary composer, pianist, musical director and educator David Önaç.

This conversation is ahead of the world premier of his Atlantic Requiem with the London Symphony Orchestra, BBC Singers, and Hollywood conductor Anthony Parnther, which memoralizes the lost lives of the transatlantic slave trade.

David both composed the music and wrote the libretto for the piece, which is based on the archive of Lloyd’s of London Insurance company who supported the work, bringing to life human stories from the 18th century.

In this conversation, we dive into the creation of Atlantic Requiem and how music can memorialize the human toll of the transatlantic slave trade. We look at how historical archive documents and court testimonies were transformed into a dramatic libretto, as well as the unique 10-note pitch system used to mirror cultural conflict and resolution. We also explore the rich intersection of contemporary classical music, jazz, and Caribbean heritage, and why artistic expression is essential for fostering empathy, hope, and social reconciliation.

Join us in Katowice, Poland for Classical:NEXT 2027 from the 11th to the 14th of May: www.classicalnext.com

Follow us on: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

The Classical:NEXT Podcast:

Hosted by David Taylor

Produced by Aliena Haig

Learn more: classicalnext.com/update/introducing-the-classicalnext-podcast

www.classicalnext.com

In this episode, David talks with pianist, composer, and technologist Zubin Kanga.

Zubin is at the forefront of music technology. Since 2021, he has been the Director and Research Lead of Cyborg Soloists, a 7-year music-technology research project supported by a UK Research and Innovation Future Leaders Fellowship and based at Royal Holloway, University of London, where he is Associate Professor in Musical Performance and Digital Arts.

Coming up on October 17th, he is performing a double bill at the Southbank Centre in London, featuring a host of premiers and works from composers that embrace technology, including Nwando Ebizie, Alex Paxton, George Lewis, Ben Nobuto, and Alex Groves. Later in October, he’ll also be performing Robert Laidlaw’s Techno-Utopia with the Berlin Symphony Orchestra, bringing in AI as part of the performance.

In this conversation, we dive into how AI and machine-assisted composition can serve as creative tools rather than threats to classical music. We look at what it means to perform alongside AI co-performers, the difference between machine intelligence and genuine human musical empathy, and how technology can expand what is possible on stage. We also explore the rich, multi-decade history of computer-assisted music, practical ways artists can navigate emerging tech, and how new performance formats are connecting canonical repertoire with contemporary club culture.

Join us in Katowice, Poland for Classical:NEXT 2027 from the 11th to the 14th of May: www.classicalnext.com

Follow us on: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

The Classical:NEXT Podcast:

Hosted by David Taylor

Produced by Aliena Haig

Learn more: classicalnext.com/update/introducing-the-classicalnext-podcast

www.classicalnext.com

In this episode, David talks with Martin Cullingford, Editor and Publisher of Gramophone Magazine.

Martin holds a unique place in the industry. In his role, he listens to countless recordings each year, giving him a special perspective on the recording landscape of the classical music industry and its trends. But as someone who runs what was a print only publication, he has been one of the first to be impacted by the digital world and had to adapt to it long before many artists and arts organisations. This means that Gramophone magazine has already had to tackle many of the issues we face today.

In this conversation, we dive into the role of the long-form album in an era dominated by streaming and single tracks. We look at how Gramophone has adapted to the digital age, from digitizing a century-old archive to launching weekly podcasts, while continuing to uphold authority and expertise in criticism. We also explore what makes a compelling album story, the resurgence of physical media, and why porous genre borders give us hope for the future of classical music.

Join us in Katowice, Poland for Classical:NEXT 2027 from the 11th to the 14th of May: www.classicalnext.com

Follow us on: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

The Classical:NEXT Podcast:

Hosted by David Taylor

Produced by Aliena Haig

Learn more: classicalnext.com/update/introducing-the-classicalnext-podcast

www.classicalnext.com

In this episode, David talks with Leah Broad, a multi-award-winning writer, historian, and public speaker whose work focuses on twentieth-century cultural history, especially women in the arts.

Leah is at the forefront of highlighting forgotten composers and discussing the barriers around programming their works. But it is her solution-focused approach to doing so that really stands out.

In this conversation, we dive into the systemic barriers facing women composers and how a solution-focused approach can help revive forgotten repertoire. We look at the collaborative efforts needed across publishing, recording, and research to normalise music by women, and why reliance on a narrow canon limits audience growth. We also explore the non-linear history of women in 20th-century music, the role of storytelling in programming, and what we can learn from the trailblazing women musicians of the Second World War.

You can also pre-order her new book Unsung, and there are more details on her website www.leahbroad.com

Join us in Katowice, Poland for Classical:NEXT 2027 from the 11th to the 14th of May: www.classicalnext.com

Follow us on: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

The Classical:NEXT Podcast:

Hosted by David Taylor

Produced by Aliena Haig

Learn more: classicalnext.com/update/introducing-the-classicalnext-podcast

www.classicalnext.com

In this episode, David talks with American Saxophonist Lucas Incle and South Korean composer Shin Kim.

Both Lucas and Shin attended Classical Next 2026 in Budapest, Lucas as part of the Classical Next fellowship program, and Shin as a showcase artist. After meeting there, they both began working on a collaboration to create new music, and we thought this would be the perfect thing to explore to see the power of making connections.

In this conversation, we dive into how international conferences create spark points for cross-border artistic collaborations. We look at the consortium model and how it offers a sustainable, entrepreneurial pathway for commissioning new works, expanding repertoire, and reaching broader audiences. We also explore the practical mechanics of collaborating remotely across time zones, advice for pitching and showcasing new projects, and why young musicians must embrace vulnerability and connection.

Join us in Katowice, Poland for Classical:NEXT 2027 from the 11th to the 14th of May: www.classicalnext.com

Follow us on: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

The Classical:NEXT Podcast:

Hosted by David Taylor

Produced by Aliena Haig

Learn more: classicalnext.com/update/introducing-the-classicalnext-podcast

www.classicalnext.com

In this episode, David talks with Caroline Whiddon, the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Me2, a classical music organization created for individuals with mental illnesses and the people who support them.

The organization started in Vermont, USA in 2011 and has grown to include orchestras, choruses, and a flute choir located in three New England states.

The unique nature of Me2’s work has garnered attention from the NBC Today Show, Al Jazeera, and the BBC, as well as numerous newspapers including the Boston Globe and the New York Times. A feature-length documentary about Me2’s work titled “Orchestrating Change” was broadcast on PBS stations across the U.S. in the fall of 2020, and you can find a link to this in the show notes.

In this conversation, we dive into how classical music can serve as a vehicle for social change and a sanctuary for mental health. We look at how removing auditions and fees creates an inclusive, stigma-free environment, and why leading with love can transform orchestra management. We also explore the practical accommodations that help musicians thrive, the power of community music-making as part of mental health treatment, and how civic partnerships offer a new future for arts organizations.

Show notes:

Me2 - https://me2music.org/

“Orchestrating Change” - https://orchestratingchangethefilm.com/

Join us in Katowice, Poland for Classical:NEXT 2027 from the 11th to the 14th of May: www.classicalnext.com

Follow us on: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

The Classical:NEXT Podcast:

Hosted by David Taylor

Produced by Aliena Haig

Learn more: classicalnext.com/update/introducing-the-classicalnext-podcast

www.classicalnext.com

In this episode, David talks with composer, show creator and refugee supporter Chloé Charody

Widely regarded as an artistic entrepreneur as much as a composer, she has forged a new path in classical music by seamlessly integrating the physical language of contemporary circus, depth of classical music and the drama of opera within her compositional craft.

In this conversation, we dive into the power of combining multiple art forms into one performance. We look at the importance of using art to highlight the plight of vulnerable people. We also explore how develop skills outside of traditional classical music education, how to begin creating multi-form works, and role of entrepreneurship for musicians.

Join us in Katowice, Poland for Classical:NEXT 2027 from the 11th to the 14th of May: www.classicalnext.com

Follow us on: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

The Classical:NEXT Podcast:

Hosted by David Taylor

Produced by Aliena Haig

Learn more: classicalnext.com/update/introducing-the-classicalnext-podcast

www.classicalnext.com

In this episode, David talks with Søren Mikael Rasmussen from culture consultants RasmussenNordic.

RasmussenNordic help cultural institutions across Europe with new knowledge, innovation and strategy, and are the creators of “Get More Audiences – Tools for Orchestras and Ensembles” with the Danish orchestras and DEOO (Danish Ensembles, Orchestras, and Opera. These tools were also created in conjunction with audience research groups, bringing some fascinating insights into the user journey and thought processes of audiences all along their customer journey.

In this conversation, we dive into the challenge that arts organisations face with audiences. We look at the toolkit and how it can be used to create a practical plan for developing audiences. We also explore the challenges of bringing innovation to the industry, what the user journey is for first-time audiences, and the benefits of creating offerings for your community.

Resources - “Get More Audiences – Tools for Orchestras and Ensembles” https://www.rasmussennordic.dk/tools/

Join us in Katowice, Poland for Classical:NEXT 2027 from the 11th to the 14th of May: www.classicalnext.com

Follow us on: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

The Classical:NEXT Podcast:

Hosted by David Taylor

Produced by Aliena Haig

Learn more: classicalnext.com/update/introducing-the-classicalnext-podcast

www.classicalnext.com

In this episode, David speaks with conductor Chad Goodman

Described by Forbes as “an entrepreneur bringing innovation to classical music”, Chad was conducting fellow and assistant conductor to Michael Tilson Thomas at New World Symphony in Miami.

Since then he has gone on to become the Music Director of the Elgin Symphony Orchestra and guest conduct the Minnesota Orchestra, Detroit Symphony, Utah Symphony, North Carolina Symphony, and San Francisco Chamber Orchestra amongst others.

Chad is one of the most proactive and entrepreneurial conductors I know of, and he passes on his knowledge to young musicians, teaching them the business skills needed to successfully navigate the music world through workshops, and through his book “You Earned a Music Degree. Now What?”

In this conversation, we dive into what it means to be a conductor in the modern age and how to develop the skills to succeed. We look at the power of speaking to audiences and how to work out what to say and how to say it. We also explore the role of entrepreneurship, how concert broadcasts help you develop your music, and the challenges that music graduates face.

Join us in Katowice, Poland for Classical:NEXT 2027 from the 11th to the 14th of May: www.classicalnext.com

Follow us on: Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn

The Classical:NEXT Podcast:

Hosted by David Taylor

Produced by Aliena Haig

Learn more: classicalnext.com/update/introducing-the-classicalnext-podcast

www.classicalnext.com