Former IMG Executive Bill Palant Launches Étude Arts LLC

Agent Man: Bill Palant launches venture
with exciting roster of opera singers

Now at the pinnacle of his career, artist manager Bill Palant has launched a new boutique company called Étude Arts LLC. We sat down with him to discuss his thoughts on the opera world and what it means to be independent in the opera industry: "Founder and Managing Director of Étude Arts, Bill Palant manages some of the world’s most acclaimed classical artists. His clients appear at the world’s greatest performing arts institutions and many have been recorded by the most distinguished media labels in the industry. Before establishing Étude Arts in 2015, Bill Palant was Senior Vice President at IMG Artists, where he served for nearly nineteen years. He also has worked for the Metropolitan Opera’s Rehearsal Department and for the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood. He was graduated from Oberlin College with a degree in psychology."

"Étude Arts is an independent management agency built on experience, fuelled by integrity, and emboldened by the possibilities open to artists and the arts in the twenty-first century. Étude Arts offers flexible, personalized service underpinned by the authority, expertise, and vision of its founder, Bill Palant. Having guided the careers of some of the world’s most accomplished classical musicians, Bill Palant approaches the culture and industry of classical performance with skill and discernment, combining – like any great artist – distinguished technique with creative flair. Étude Arts embodies a commitment to the development of exceptional artistry at every level of the profession. Bill Palant is dedicated to the holistic success of both performer and presenter: to health and well-being, to dynamic growth and career longevity, to progressive business practice, and to outstanding performance on a global stage." For more information and a complete roster of artists, visit the official website by clicking here.

How did you come up with the name of the new company? I was inspired to name the company Étude Arts after attending a transformative performance of Philip Glass’ piano etudes at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Not only was it a magnificent concert but also the experience prompted me to consider the meaning of an etude and its function as well as its practice. That the etude promotes the exploration and expression of a particular skill and the strengthening of technique resonated with me greatly and served as the perfect metaphor of what I am doing in this evolution of my professional career.

What got you interested in managing opera singers? After working for five years at the Metropolitan Opera, I wanted to spread my wings beyond the responsibilities of the Rehearsal Department. At the time, there weren’t positions available in New York City with other performing arts organizations of the same (or even near the same) caliber of the one I had at Met, so I looked beyond the stages of great artistic institutions like Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, etc. My introduction to the world of artist management, during my Met years, was less than

New Boss Will Soon Feature IMG Artists In "Lifestyle Festivals"

Mr. Inzerillo with his wife, Prudence, at the
New York City Opera Gala in 2008.

"IMG Artists, a major representative of classical musicians, on Wednesday named a hotel and resort company executive, Jerry Inzerillo, as its new president and chief executive. Mr. Inzerillo comes to IMG from the Kerzner International Group, where he is president of the Kerzner Entertainment Group and responsible for 'building brand awareness' among 'celebrities, VIPs and the entertainment world' and organizing opening extravaganzas, according to the Kerzner Web site. He has also been president of the company that became Ian Schrager Hotels. IMG said that Mr. Inzerillo arrives as part of the agency’s effort to expand beyond managing artists, including arranging cultural events and 'lifestyle festivals,' advising governments on how to raise the profile of cultural offerings and helping run performing arts centers. IMG’s clients include Joshua Bell, Leif Ove Andsnes, Renée Fleming and Ben Heppner, according to its Web site. The previous IMG president, Jeff Fuhrman, will remain as an adviser, IMG said." [Source]