Nathalie Stutzmann gave up a quarter-century career as a contralto to become a conductor.

Carnegie Hall plans a return to a relatively full schedule next season for the first time since 2018-19, presenting about 150 events that include Kirill Petrenko’s first New York appearances as music director of the Berlin Philharmonic.

Germany’s president has bestowed the country’s highest honor on British conductor Simon Rattle, the former head of the Berlin Philharmonic who is set to take a new job in Munich next year.

FILE - In this Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020 file photo, Elton John performs "(I'm Gonna) Love Me Again" nominated for the award for best original song from "Rocketman" at the Oscars, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. Dozens of U.K. music stars including Elton John, Ed Sheeran and conductor Simon Rattle on Wednesday Jan. 20, 2021, say musicians have been shamefully failed by the British government, which has left them facing post-Brexit restrictions on touring in the European Union. Britain and the EU disagree about who is to blame for the omission, each accusing the other of rejecting a deal for touring artists. The new rules mean U.K. performers have to comply with differing rules in the 27 EU nations, negotiating visas for musicians and permits for their equipment. Culture Minister Caroline Dinenage acknowledged the situation was “incredibly disappointing,” but said “the door is open” to talks with the EU on a deal for musicians.

FILE - In this March 27, 2010 file photo, conductor Sir Simon Rattle gestures prior to a dress rehearsal for Richard Wagner's opera "Goetterdaemmerung" which was part of the Salzburg Easter Festival in Salzburg, Austria. Simon Rattle is set to leave his job as musical director at the London Symphony Orchestra to lead the Munich-based Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra. The the two organizations said Monday, Jan. 11, 2021 that the acclaimed conductor will become the German orchestras chief conductor in 2023. (AP Photo/Kerstin Joensson, File)LONDON – Simon Rattle is set to leave his job as musical director at the London Symphony Orchestra to lead the Munich-based Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra, the two organizations said Monday. Rattle said he was “thrilled” to accept the post and honored to succeed conductor Mariss Jansons, who died in 2019.