Universal and Deutsche Grammophon launch streaming service for classical music

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Source: Freepik

The world’s oldest record label, Deutsche Grammophon, owned by Universal Music Group has launched a classical music subscription service, called Stage+.

The “latest milestone in classical music’s digital development”, as the service is described by the label, features livestreams, a video archive and new audio releases. In addition to albums from the Deutsche Grammophon and Decca catalogs, subscribers to the SVOD platform will have access to new releases, live streams of concerts, operas, and other events, music videos, documentaries. The video content will be offered in 4K and Dolby Atmos quality, while Audio content will be in Hi-Res Lossless format, “virtually indistinguishable from the original studio recording”.

“We are about to enter an exciting new era for streamed classical performances.“

Robert Zimmermann

“STAGE+ will explore the limitless creative and curatorial possibilities that digital technologies have to offer to bring the creative work of DG’s artists – and beyond – closer to their audience,” said DG’s Vice President Consumer Business, Robert Zimmermann.

The streaming service is available as a mobile, TV and smartphone/tablet app as well as directly on the web at www.stage-plus.com, subscription costs EUR €14.90 per month, or €149 per year. “We want to revolutionise the way people access classical music, and, working together with our wonderful partners and family of musicians, bring them the very best of what the art form has to offer.” said DG president Dr Clemens Trautmann.

The record company is the oldest in the world and was established in Hannover in 1898 by Emil Berliner, the inventor of the gramophone. “In 2023 DG will be celebrating its 125th anniversary, and Stage+ is the latest example of the creative and innovative thinking that has been the hallmark of the label since its foundation.” Dr Clemens Trautmann.

“There’s an enormous appetite for great classical music content online.”

Frank Briegmann

Chairman & CEO of Universal Music Central Europe & Deutsche Grammophon, Frank Briegmann said “We’ve seen significant growth in demand for livestreamed concerts and opera performances since launching DG Stage almost two years ago. Stage+ will transform the space for online classical music. I wish to thank our incredible team and our partner organisations for all their hard work and dedication to Stage+. They have built something special that’s sure to delight and inspire the global classical audience.”

Source: musicweek.com