When Jonas Kaufmann suddenly bowed out of the Metropolitan Opera's production of Manon Lescaut, Roberto Alagna pulled off the herculean feat of learning the complex score within days.
American R&B singer Chris Brown thanked New Zealand women's advocates for supporting his plan to perform in the country, despite a domestic violence conviction which could see him banned.
Vladimir Putin called pop star Elton John and suggested a meeting, after the British singer was tricked last week by a prankster impersonating the Russian leader.
Karaganda native Olga Veldyaksova has successfully passed the first stage of the Russian Voice singing contest, Russian version of world renowned The Voice.