Message from the Editor

Dear Readers,

With the September 1997 issue of La Scena Musicale we enter our second year of publication. We started as La Scena Vocale, a one-page monthly calendar of Montreal-area vocal music events. Last year we expanded our coverage to include all aspects of classical music, and changed our name to La Scena Musicale. Popular response was so overwhelming that we quickly expanded to our current format of twenty-four pages. Our circulation has grown from a few hundred to 15,000 copies, distributed at over one-hundred locations in Montreal, Quebec, Ottawa and Toronto, and on our Web page. It has been wonderful to discover that the public's interest in classical music is alive and well.

Our philosophy at La Scena Musicale is twofold: to help make classical music accessible to new audiences and to bring the latest classical music news to you every month. We reach the widest possible readership by free distribution at churches, libraries, schools, record stores, Maisons de la Culture and concert halls. Our writers are music lovers of every age eager to share their interest in classical musical performances, personalities, and recordings. As editors, we are dedicated to spotlighting the best new and established talent locally, nationally and abroad.

La Scena Musicale is operated by a non-profit organization called La Scène musicale staffed by volunteers. If you are interested in writing, translating or helping out in any way, please give us a call. If you are a regular reader and appreciate our publication, please write us a letter of encouragment saying so. Your written support will help us secure the advertising and subsidies necessary to our continued operation. Thank you !

Wah Keung Chan, Philip Anson, Editors