In light of the global pandemic currently affecting every aspect of our lives, professional musicians and performers have had to make drastic changes to their work. In normal circumstances, it can be quite difficult to see live, professional, classical performances. Many people also find it difficult to enjoy classical music, as it is very different from the current pop songs that we are mostly all accustomed to. However, due to these special circumstances, many orchestras and venues have moved online, making the world of classical music much more accessible. Since many of us seem to have more time on our hands to explore new things, it is now easier than ever to listen to and watch professional classical performances. In addition to simply playing pieces, many ensembles offer other ways to learn about and enjoy their music. Here are a few that you might find interesting:

• The London Philharmonic updates their website with free videos, Q&A sessions with musicians, and playlists of concerts that they would have performed.
• The NY Philharmonic uploads radio and video broadcasts. They are also conducting a virtual tour, a “visit” to the places that the orchestra was scheduled to perform before the pandemic. 
• The Vienna Philharmonic has recordings of their famous New Year’s concert, history of the orchestra, and videos highlighting different aspects of the orchestra.
• The Berlin Philharmonic offers livestreams, spotlights on their musicians, interviews, and an archive of past concerts. Registration is required to access past concerts and livestreams, but it is free.
• The Philadelphia Orchestra holds free concert recordings, master classes, and discussions. Registration is required but at no cost.
• The Met Opera has a free, nightly opera stream, Q&A with performers, and informative articles on past performances. One of the most well-known classical music organizations, the Met combines visual aspects and music to make captivating performances.
• The Paris Opera has videos of short performances and documentaries on a variety of topics.
• Teatro alla scala, an opera house in Italy, has articles on the theater itself on the website, and they also have a page on Google Arts and Culture with online exhibits where you can explore the museum and theater.

These are just a few of the many classical performances that you can find online. There is a lot more to discover on different websites, likeYouTube, as well as other  streaming services. Who knows, maybe these videos will make you realize that you might like classical music after all.