Music Matters

Melvyn Krauss is a professional economist who often writes about music. He has published on music in the Wall Street Journal, Harper's, and Opera News. In his early years, he mostly spent his time in opera houses. But with the decline of great singers and production values, Mr. Krauss abandoned the opera house in favor of the concert hall where he found the standard of performing to be on a much higher level. He resides in Portola Valley, California with his wife Irene, two Irish setters, and two cats. He considers himself to be a New Yorker-in-exile.

All in Wall Street Journal

Jun 22

Jun 22 Chamber Music's Power Couple Summer in Silicon Valley

Melvyn Krauss

Wall Street Journal, Music@Menlo

"The new appointment of Wu Han and David Finckel as joint artistic directors of the prestigious Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center makes this husband-and-wife team America's power couple of chamber music."

Jun 22

Jun 22 Opera Is Suffering From A Supply-Side Crisis

Melvyn Krauss

Wall Street Journal

"The Met blames its bad box office on a drop-off in international tourism. But the crisis goes much deeper than implied by this superficial explanation."

Jun 22

Jun 22 In Perfect Harmony: Michael Tilson Thomas, San Francisco and Its Orchestra

Melvyn Krauss

Wall Street Journal

"[San Francisco Symphony's] music director, Michael Tilson Thomas, says San Franciscans are proud of their city's cultural institutions. Even in a tough economy, their ambitions for their city make them willing to back what they perceive as a winner."

Jun 22

Jun 22 The Lucerne Festival Is on the Threshold of Change

Melvyn Krauss

Wall Street Journal

"It is a critical time for the revered Lucerne classical music festival in Switzerland."