IMG Artists' Mass Talent Exodus Continues

Former IMG Artists Senior Vice President, Bill Palant has today announced the launch of his own newly-established New York-based talent agency, Etude Arts.

Palant's predominantly vocal roster will include a number of former IMG stars: including sopranos Christine Brandes, Julia Bullock, Christiane Libor, Melody Moore and Lauren Snouffer, mezzo-soprano Kelley O'Connor, tenors Michele Angelini, Paul Appleby, Joseph Kaiser, Sean Panikkar, Stuart Skelton, Nicky Spence and John Tessier, baritones Alan Opie and Sean Michael Plum - and basses Peixin Chen, Solomon Howard and Bastian Thomas Kohl.

The blow comes just months after it was announced that violinist Joshua Bell, Time for Three and pianist Daniela Liebman will follow agent Matthew Zelle from IMG to the New York-based boutique talent agency, Park Avenue Artists.

In January of this year, it was announced that Itzhak Perlman had leave IMG after almost 30 years, to join long-time agent Charlotte Lee - at her newly-formed boutique management agency, Primo Artists.

It is understood at this stage that IMG Artists does still continue to act as a booking agent for Joshua Bell, in the North American market – and provide General Management services within Europe.

PICTURED: IMG ARTISTS PRESIDENT, ALEXANDER SHUSTORIVICH & CHAIRMAN, BARRETT WISSMAN