Chevaliers of the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres

The Athens Concert Hall (68 Vasilisis Sofias) presents the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France in an enchanting evening of classical music, blending French and Russian masterpieces by renowned composers. The orchestra, including French piano virtuoso Jean-Yves Thibaudet and Norwegian violinist Vilde Frang, is led by Finnish conductor Mikko Franck.

Janez Bratovž of JB Restaurant in Ljubljana has been named Slovenian chef of the year by the French restaurant guide Gault&Millau and his restaurant was added to the ten that received the highest accolade, the four toques.

"If you've ever eaten well in a Slovenian restaurant, Janez Bratovž certainly contributed to that," the restaurant guide said.

Exactly one year after French duo Daft Punk shocked fans by announcing an unceremonious split, they've returned to social media and hosted a one-day-only livestream of a 1997 show on Twitch.

French star Gaspard Ulliel, who played a young Hannibal Lecter and had a top role in a new Marvel TV series, died on Jan. 19 at 37 following a skiing accident.

Ulliel was already in the top rank of French actors, and gained international attention for his performance as the famous cannibal in "Hannibal Rising" in 2007.

Czech mezzo-soprano Magdalena Kozena and the current music director of the London Symphony Orchestra, Sir Simon Rattle, partners in life and in art, will be at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC) for a classical recital that will see Rattle at the piano in one of his rare appearances as musician. Program details are available on the SNFCC's website.

US performer Taylor Swift tops Forbes magazine's list of the highest-paid singers in the world, BTA reported.

Between June 2018 and June 2019, the 29-year-old Swift earned an impressive $ 185 million. The performer's income comes mainly from the concert business. Her "Reputation" tour was announced as the highest grossing in the United States.

Far-right presidential candidate Marine Le Pen has touched a raw nerve in France by denying the French state's responsibility for a mass arrest of Jews in Paris during World War Two.

German bass-baritone Christian Gerhaher and his compatriot soprano Anja Harteros were named the top male and female singers respectively at the International Opera Awards on April 26. 

Berlin's Komische Oper won the award for best opera company while the Bregenz Festival, held in a small town on the shores of Lake Constance in Austria, was named the best festival.