Jessica Duchen
@jessicaduchen.bsky.social
Classical music critic, author, librettist. MYRA HESS - NATIONAL TREASURE out now and available from https://www.kahnandaverill.co.uk/product/myra-hess-national-treasure/
Reposted by Jessica Duchen
Nowhere in the hysterical pile-on against the BBC in the British press has anyone mentioned that BBC News now has 77 million viewers & listeners in the US and has established itself as the second most trusted news source there.
November 11, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Nowhere in the hysterical pile-on against the BBC in the British press has anyone mentioned that BBC News now has 77 million viewers & listeners in the US and has established itself as the second most trusted news source there.
Looking forward to talking WAGNER on Friday! With music from soprano Valerija Iljin and pianist Daniel Silcock, at the National Opera Studio.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wagners-wo...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wagners-wo...
Wagner's Women
An exploration of the development of Richard Wagner's early operatic heroines.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
November 11, 2025 at 9:47 AM
Looking forward to talking WAGNER on Friday! With music from soprano Valerija Iljin and pianist Daniel Silcock, at the National Opera Studio.
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wagners-wo...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wagners-wo...
Reposted by Jessica Duchen
Petition protesting the closure of Nottingham's music department ✍️
Sign the Petition
Stop the suspension of undergraduate music courses at The University of Nottingham
c.org
November 7, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Petition protesting the closure of Nottingham's music department ✍️
Reposted by Jessica Duchen
Out today: Avril Coleridge-Taylor: ‘In Memoriam - To the RAF’ (1945).
classical.music.apple.com/gb/album/184...
classical.music.apple.com/gb/album/184...
November 7, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Out today: Avril Coleridge-Taylor: ‘In Memoriam - To the RAF’ (1945).
classical.music.apple.com/gb/album/184...
classical.music.apple.com/gb/album/184...
We need to listen to musicians, not tell them to ‘shut up and play’, and here’s why.
inews.co.uk/culture/arts...
inews.co.uk/culture/arts...
Why we need to stop telling classical musicians to 'shut up and play'
Too often musicians' voices are silenced on politics. But we need them now more than ever
inews.co.uk
November 7, 2025 at 7:48 AM
We need to listen to musicians, not tell them to ‘shut up and play’, and here’s why.
inews.co.uk/culture/arts...
inews.co.uk/culture/arts...
Looking forward enormously to doing a little Wagner evening...I'll be talking about Wagner's musical cauldron and the soprano Valerija Iljin sings extracts from Senta, Elisabeth, Sieglinde and the Wesendonck Lieder. 14 Nov, National Opera Studio
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wagners-wo...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wagners-wo...
Wagner's Women
An exploration of the development of Richard Wagner's early operatic heroines.
www.eventbrite.co.uk
November 3, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Looking forward enormously to doing a little Wagner evening...I'll be talking about Wagner's musical cauldron and the soprano Valerija Iljin sings extracts from Senta, Elisabeth, Sieglinde and the Wesendonck Lieder. 14 Nov, National Opera Studio
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wagners-wo...
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wagners-wo...
Reposted by Jessica Duchen
"Her rise to fame has been breathtaking, as is her versatility," @jessicaduchen.bsky.social writes in the new 'Opera Now' cover story, 'Julia Bullock: A Universal Voice.' You can read it at www.gramophone.co.uk/opera-now/fe...
October 28, 2025 at 2:04 PM
"Her rise to fame has been breathtaking, as is her versatility," @jessicaduchen.bsky.social writes in the new 'Opera Now' cover story, 'Julia Bullock: A Universal Voice.' You can read it at www.gramophone.co.uk/opera-now/fe...
Reposted by Jessica Duchen
Thangam Debbonaire to head new UK opera trade body
bachtrack.com/news-thangam...
bachtrack.com/news-thangam...
October 24, 2025 at 1:36 PM
Thangam Debbonaire to head new UK opera trade body
bachtrack.com/news-thangam...
bachtrack.com/news-thangam...
Off to @wigmore_hall to hear @fhvln and @MartinRoscoe1 strut some formidable stuff tonight. And fortunately it takes my mind off packing for tomorrow (I love being in new places, but hate having to get there…).
October 16, 2025 at 6:10 PM
Off to @wigmore_hall to hear @fhvln and @MartinRoscoe1 strut some formidable stuff tonight. And fortunately it takes my mind off packing for tomorrow (I love being in new places, but hate having to get there…).
Coming up on Friday: Lara Melda and I tell the story of Myra Hess in the National Gallery, in, what else, a lunchtime concert. We will be in the same space she used, Room 36! Admission freeeeee. Please join us!
www.nationalgallery.org.uk/events/myra-...
www.nationalgallery.org.uk/events/myra-...
Myra Hess Festival: Lunchtime Concert 2025 - Jessica Duchen and Lara Melda | Events | National Gallery, London
Jessica Duchen, author of Myra Hess – National Treasure, joins forces with the award-winning pianist Lara Melda to tell the inspiring story of Myra Hess and her wartime National Gallery Concerts in wo...
www.nationalgallery.org.uk
October 6, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Coming up on Friday: Lara Melda and I tell the story of Myra Hess in the National Gallery, in, what else, a lunchtime concert. We will be in the same space she used, Room 36! Admission freeeeee. Please join us!
www.nationalgallery.org.uk/events/myra-...
www.nationalgallery.org.uk/events/myra-...
TONIGHT! Hear Myra Hess play, as the Musical Museum and the Player Piano Group hold an evening devoted to her Duo-Art piano rolls.
www.musicalmuseum.co.uk/event/myra-h...
www.musicalmuseum.co.uk/event/myra-h...
Myra Hess in Concert
www.musicalmuseum.co.uk
October 3, 2025 at 1:18 PM
TONIGHT! Hear Myra Hess play, as the Musical Museum and the Player Piano Group hold an evening devoted to her Duo-Art piano rolls.
www.musicalmuseum.co.uk/event/myra-h...
www.musicalmuseum.co.uk/event/myra-h...
Reposted by Jessica Duchen
Here's Claudia Pritchard's write up of the Critics' Circle Music Awards 2025:
criticscircle.org.uk/music-awards...
criticscircle.org.uk/music-awards...
Music Awards 2025, celebrating a year of outstanding achievement | The Critics' Circle
More than 80 leading figures from across Britain’s musical landscape came together at the sparkling Critics’ Circle Music Awards, held at the London Coliseum, a ceremony that honoured musicians who ma...
criticscircle.org.uk
October 2, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Here's Claudia Pritchard's write up of the Critics' Circle Music Awards 2025:
criticscircle.org.uk/music-awards...
criticscircle.org.uk/music-awards...
Reposted by Jessica Duchen
Metronome markings: blessing or curse?
September 25, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Metronome markings: blessing or curse?
Reposted by Jessica Duchen
I went to the new Tosca at Covent Garden and this is what I thought.
engelsbergideas.com/reviews/an-u...
engelsbergideas.com/reviews/an-u...
An unflinching Tosca
The controversial Anna Netrebko has staged a breathtaking comeback. Each note of her ‘Vissi d’arte’ pulsates with emotion.
engelsbergideas.com
September 25, 2025 at 7:46 AM
I went to the new Tosca at Covent Garden and this is what I thought.
engelsbergideas.com/reviews/an-u...
engelsbergideas.com/reviews/an-u...
Reposted by Jessica Duchen
Sadiq Khan on Farage’s plan today -
“Thousands of Londoners have indefinite leave to remain. They have legal rights and are our friends, neighbours and colleagues, contributing hugely to our city.
“Threatening to deport people living and working here legally is unacceptable.”
“Thousands of Londoners have indefinite leave to remain. They have legal rights and are our friends, neighbours and colleagues, contributing hugely to our city.
“Threatening to deport people living and working here legally is unacceptable.”
September 22, 2025 at 10:13 AM
Sadiq Khan on Farage’s plan today -
“Thousands of Londoners have indefinite leave to remain. They have legal rights and are our friends, neighbours and colleagues, contributing hugely to our city.
“Threatening to deport people living and working here legally is unacceptable.”
“Thousands of Londoners have indefinite leave to remain. They have legal rights and are our friends, neighbours and colleagues, contributing hugely to our city.
“Threatening to deport people living and working here legally is unacceptable.”
Update on my article re Ilan Volkov: it is in the printed paper today, but very heavily cut, so please read the online one if you can.
September 13, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Update on my article re Ilan Volkov: it is in the printed paper today, but very heavily cut, so please read the online one if you can.
Reposted by Jessica Duchen
This hurts my soul - my heart axtuslly ached reading this, thinking of the future generations of knowledge that will never be, of students unable to specialise in languages, pursue music, read Latin, take up English literature, become an Art critic, write history. This is how cultures wither & die.
'Analysis of almost 45,000 courses in Times Higher Education’s Courses 360 databases found that roughly 3,900 had shut down between 2024-25 and the upcoming academic year.' 1/2
Almost 4,000 courses closed at UK universities since 2024
Analysis reveals half of closures have come at lower-tariff universities, creating a ‘vicious cycle’ for institutions struggling to attract students
www.timeshighereducation.com
September 12, 2025 at 7:10 AM
This hurts my soul - my heart axtuslly ached reading this, thinking of the future generations of knowledge that will never be, of students unable to specialise in languages, pursue music, read Latin, take up English literature, become an Art critic, write history. This is how cultures wither & die.
Reposted by Jessica Duchen
⭐ Great to see that the TUC Congress has passed a Europe motion highlighting the importance of easing mobility for touring artists.
🇪🇺 The motion highlight the significance of UK trade with the EU, and the potential for this to boost UK economic growth.
https://bit.ly/4mdSONY
🇪🇺 The motion highlight the significance of UK trade with the EU, and the potential for this to boost UK economic growth.
https://bit.ly/4mdSONY
C13 Europe matters – TUC Congress Motions
bit.ly
September 10, 2025 at 9:30 AM
⭐ Great to see that the TUC Congress has passed a Europe motion highlighting the importance of easing mobility for touring artists.
🇪🇺 The motion highlight the significance of UK trade with the EU, and the potential for this to boost UK economic growth.
https://bit.ly/4mdSONY
🇪🇺 The motion highlight the significance of UK trade with the EU, and the potential for this to boost UK economic growth.
https://bit.ly/4mdSONY
Wondering if I could become a tube driver, double my income and reduce my working hours to the manageable level of 35 hrs a week. I’ve left it a little bit late, but am quite good at tunnel vision.
September 9, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Wondering if I could become a tube driver, double my income and reduce my working hours to the manageable level of 35 hrs a week. I’ve left it a little bit late, but am quite good at tunnel vision.
Reposted by Jessica Duchen
I'm not sure Kent was even this bad in my 80s-90s childhood (and I can tell you, it was pretty bad). The trajectory is absolutely chilling.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
A racist mob menacing refugee children and our town. Read this and see what lies ahead, unless we act now | Anonymous
Last weekend, it fell to ordinary people to oppose the far right and others. The national toxicity has reached us: a kind of hate I haven’t seen since the 1970s
www.theguardian.com
September 9, 2025 at 1:50 PM
I'm not sure Kent was even this bad in my 80s-90s childhood (and I can tell you, it was pretty bad). The trajectory is absolutely chilling.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Jessica Duchen
The National Gallery is to embark on the “largest transformation” in its 200 years, with the creation of an entirely new wing.
National Gallery contest invites architects to design £375m ‘transformation’ - Arts Professional
The National Gallery is to embark on the "largest transformation" in its 200 years, with the creation of an entirely new wing. Architects from across the globe are to be invited to design the development,...
www.artsprofessional.co.uk
September 9, 2025 at 11:06 AM
The National Gallery is to embark on the “largest transformation” in its 200 years, with the creation of an entirely new wing.
Reposted by Jessica Duchen
Mixed messaging: the Southbank Centre ushers leaping on anyone who so much as looks at their screen in the RFH when the only programme available to audiences is via a QR Code… on their phone.
August 28, 2025 at 10:06 PM
Mixed messaging: the Southbank Centre ushers leaping on anyone who so much as looks at their screen in the RFH when the only programme available to audiences is via a QR Code… on their phone.
Reposted by Jessica Duchen
I am one of the growing number of 400 signatories to this letter. It's deeply concerning that the BBC is limiting public access & exploratory academic research into its rich historical archives. The WAC was a bastion of the BBC's public service remit & must remain so!
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Historians dismayed by ‘scandal’ of BBC cutting access to...
Critics say new limit to trove of information sounds knell for independent research
observer.co.uk
August 24, 2025 at 6:52 AM
I am one of the growing number of 400 signatories to this letter. It's deeply concerning that the BBC is limiting public access & exploratory academic research into its rich historical archives. The WAC was a bastion of the BBC's public service remit & must remain so!
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
observer.co.uk/news/nationa...
Doing an actual National Gallery lunchtime concert with the wonderful Lara Melda! 10 October, anniversary of Myra Hess’s first concert there in 1939.
www.nationalgallery.org.uk/events/myra-...
www.nationalgallery.org.uk/events/myra-...
Myra Hess Festival: Lunchtime Concert 2025 - Jessica Duchen and Lara Melda | Events | National Gallery, London
Jessica Duchen, author of Myra Hess – National Treasure, joins forces with the award-winning pianist Lara Melda to tell the inspiring story of Myra Hess and her wartime National Gallery Concerts in wo...
www.nationalgallery.org.uk
August 24, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Doing an actual National Gallery lunchtime concert with the wonderful Lara Melda! 10 October, anniversary of Myra Hess’s first concert there in 1939.
www.nationalgallery.org.uk/events/myra-...
www.nationalgallery.org.uk/events/myra-...