THE MAGAZINE
Dispatches From a 21st-Century Conservatoire
The conservatoire was built for a rather different music industry: one without Instagram, portfolio careers or much talk of work-life balance. Three Royal College of Music musicians consider what the institution gets right — and what still needs to catch up.
Channeling Gene Kelly's Wisdom: Passion and Perfectionism
Gene Kelly didn’t believe in settling for ‘good enough’. Seventy-five years after Singin’ in the Rain, his widow Patricia Ward Kelly thinks his notorious perfectionism might have something to teach a generation more accustomed to being told not to try too hard.
From Edinburgh with Love: Humanity’s Vitality at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival
Thirteen shows, a miniature cannon, some questionable comedy, and a city overflowing with performers. A weekend at the Edinburgh Fringe reveals the chaotic, unpredictable joy of live culture. Read on to experience it for yourself.
From Zurich with Love: On Marisol, Masks, and Being Your Authentic Self
At Kunsthaus Zürich, Marisol emerges as far more than a Pop artist. Bringing together sculpture, costume design, and theatre, her latest exhibition reveals an artist preoccupied with the uneasy relationship between identity, performance, and the masks we wear for others. Read on for some thoughts on her work - and the masks we wear.
From New York with Love: Unseen Currents at the Park Avenue Armory
At New York's Park Avenue Armory, Céleste Boursier-Mougenot's clinamen transforms drifting ceramic bowls into an ever-changing composition of sound and movement. This meditation on one of the summer's most captivating installations considers chance, free will, and the unseen forces that shape both art and everyday life. Read on for more.
The Royal Ballet School at 100 Years - The Past, The Summer Performance and the Future
As The Royal Ballet School celebrates its centenary, its annual Summer Performance honours a century of artistic excellence while looking firmly to the future. From the enduring legacy of Dame Ninette de Valois to an ambitious new training model designed for the next generation of dancers, the School enters its second century with confidence and vision. Read on for more.
A London Odyssey
As Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey dominates headlines, there's no need to wait for the film to immerse yourself in Homer's legendary tale. From ancient Greek masterpieces at the British Museum to Turner's dramatic vision at the National Gallery and captivating modern retellings, here are the best places to experience The Odyssey across London.
Paper Dolls, Etching Plates, and Theatre Costume: The Artistic Pursuits of Queen Victoria
Queen Victoria's artistic legacy extends far beyond her role as one of Britain's greatest cultural patrons. From designing paper dolls and painting theatrical costumes to etching alongside Prince Albert and supporting Britain's craft industries, her creative pursuits reveal a monarch whose imagination was as remarkable as her reign. Read on for more.
Connecting Voices Behind Bars: How “Sing Inside” Cultivates Choral Community in Prisons
As prison populations continue to rise across England and Wales, the charity Sing Inside is creating moments of connection through music. By bringing residents, prison staff and volunteers together in inclusive choral workshops, the organisation demonstrates how singing can foster creativity, community and a renewed sense of belonging behind bars. Read on for more.
From Paris, with Love: Alexander Calder takes over the Fondation Louis Vuitton
A sweltering Paris heatwave gives way to one of the year's most ambitious exhibitions, as the Fondation Louis Vuitton celebrates Alexander Calder's extraordinary career through sculpture, painting, performance, and play. Read on for more.
From Sofia with Love: Dalí’s Triumph of Imagination in Pernik
What was advertised as Eastern Europe's largest Salvador Dalí exhibition became something far more revealing: a meditation on reproductions, museum storytelling, and the responsibility to question what we are shown. Read on for more.
In Your Summer Era: 20 Films For Your Every Summer Self
Whether you're dreaming of a European escape, a nostalgic coming-of-age story, a whirlwind romance, or a spontaneous road trip, TWoA has curated a list of 20 unforgettable summer films with a little something for every summer self. From timeless classics to modern favourites, discover your next warm-weather watch. Read on for more.
The River Will Live: Threads of Resistance in the Embroidery of Britta Marakatt-Labba
Through intricate embroidery, Britta Marakatt-Labba tells the story of Sámi identity, environmental activism, and cultural resilience. From the Alta protests to the monumental tapestry Historja, discover how needle and thread become powerful tools of memory, resistance, and survival. Read on for more.
What’s in a Name? Exploring the Misogynistic Roots of Opera’s Divas and Prima Donnas
From Maria Callas to today’s opera stars, the labels "diva" and "prima donna" are laden with gendered meaning. Read on to explore their historical origins and ties to misogynistic stereotypes, as well as why the language we use in opera still matters today.
From Bruges with Love: Why Do Cities Love Refik Anadol?
Refik Anadol's AI-powered installations have captivated museums and cities across the world. Visiting Latent City in Bruges, Melis Seven explores why his immersive digital artworks attract global audiences—and whether they truly capture the unique identity of the places they represent. Read on for more.
From London with Love: The Royal Ballet School’s 100th Graduate Year, with the School of American Ballet
An evening at the Royal Ballet School's 100th graduate performance became more than a ballet showcase; it turned into a reflection on maturation, expression, and the power of dance. From The Dying Swan to Les Bourgeois, our London correspondent reflects on artistry, uncertainty, and the rare moments when dance has the power to still the mind and restore hope. Read on for more.
Margarita Balanas, cellist and conductor: “Live by Your Own Rules and Don’t Have Any Regrets!” (Part II)
In an exclusive interview with TWoA, Latvian conductor and cellist Margarita Balanas reflects on building new audiences, founding ANONIMI, and embracing social media. She also shares why the future of classical music depends not on defending tradition, but on inviting curiosity. Read on for more.
A Heady Kind of Music: Andy Akiho’s Bronze I and Bronze II
What happens when a six-foot bronze sculpture becomes a musical instrument? In Bronze I and Bronze II, composer Andy Akiho transforms Jun Kaneko’s monumental Heads into haunting, resonant soundscapes, blurring the boundaries between sculpture, performance, and experimental music. Read on for more.
From New York with Love: Frida and Diego at the MoMA
What does a cobalt-blue bed, a crimson tree, and two legendary artists reveal about love? Visiting Frida and Diego: The Last Dream at MoMA, Olivia Merola reflects on modern relationships, Frida Kahlo's resilience, and the enduring power of art to preserve memory. Read on for her full reflections.
Margarita Balanas, cellist and conductor: “Live by Your Own Rules and Don’t Have Any Regrets!”
From busking on the streets of Latvia to conducting major orchestras and performing as a soloist, Margarita Balanas reflects on ambition, resilience, and why saying yes before you feel ready can change the course of a musical career. Read more in Part I of our exclusive interview.