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Lawrence Johnson attended the first public event at Miami's new $450m Carnival Center for the Performing Arts - an open rehearsal by the Cleveland Orchestra. Designed by architect Cesar Pelli, the venue offers two halls: the Ziff Ballet Opera House, new home to Florida Grand Opera and Miami City...

Is the "human orchestra" under threat? Technology correspondent David Smith reports on competition in the form of "the heap of wires and microchips in the comer of a room. It is quicker and cheaper, hits every note to perfection and never makes a mistake."

Deborah Voigt's new slim-line figure has been much commented on, as is how she achieved it (stomach surgery after been dropped by the Royal Opera House on account of her size).

The Tallis Scholars' Peter Phillips, in his music column, turned his attention to the issue of girls and women in choirs. "Watching the Queen being greeted by Canon Lucy Winkett on the steps of St Paul's Cathedral the other day, as HM arrived for her 80th birthday service, reminded me of a...