Claus Peter Flor, principal guest conductor at the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, leads the phenomenal Dallas Symphony Chorus in one of the most beloved, challenging choral works: Handel's Messiah. In order to help raise money for three Dublin charities through performances of his music, Handel turned to librettist Charles Jennens to compose a new sacred oratorio for the occasion.

Italian conductor Nicola Luisotti makes his Dallas debut with a tour de force program featuring heartrending music and a spectacular light show. The evening will begin with Tchaikovsky's Fantasia Francesca da Rimini, based upon the fifth canto from Dante's Inferno, in which lovers Francesca and Paolo are brought together only to be torn apart by a vicious storm.

Lorin Maazel, one the world's most esteemed maestros, will return to the Metropolitan Opera for the first time in 45 years to conduct five performances of Wagner's Die Walküre, beginning January 7, 2008. These performances will be Maestro Maazel's first conducting assignments at the Met since the 1962-63 season, when he made his debut conducting performances of Mozart's Don Giovanni and Strauss's Der Rosenkavalier.

The Philadelphia Orchestra Association announced today that it has named internationally distinguished conductor Charles Dutoit to the newly-created position of chief conductor and artistic adviser. Mr. Dutoit, who has had an extensive relationship with The Philadelphia Orchestra, will provide artistic leadership to the organization beginning in September 2008.

The American Symphony Orchestra League announced today the eight conductors to be showcased in The 2007 Bruno Walter National Conductor Preview. The Preview, which is held every other year, is a two-day event that brings together highly talented conductors, who have not yet had significant exposure in the United States, with representatives from American orchestras.

Portland Symphony Orchestra (PSO) announces two guest conductor updates for concerts coming up in March. Both conductors have recently led the PSO in previous concerts.

Chicago Symphony Orchestra Principal Conductor Bernard Haitink has been named the 2007 "Musician of the Year" by Musical America, the international directory of the performing arts. The award was presented on Wednesday at Lincoln Center's Kaplan Penthouse in New York City.