Pop music and politicians just do not mix. “Perhaps that’s the way it should be. Pop groups are meant to offend the establishment, not cosy up to it.” – The Independent (UK)
Author: Douglas McLennan
DEATH IN VENICE
“Venice was once one of the great European musical capitals, a city whose leaders recognised the power of cultural prestige and took care to attract and encourage composers of the calibre of Monteverdi and Vivaldi. It became a centre whose excellence in performance at its churches and the famous foundling hospitals which trained musicians made it a site of pilgrimage. The effect of decades of mass tourism in recent years has been to diminish the quality and range of concerts.” – The Independent (UK)
TRUMPING PAVAROTTI
Last Saturday night Donald Trump flew some friends to Atlantic City to hear Pavarotti at the Taj Mahal hotel. But Pavarotti was not in good voice and the show was not very good. “So outraged was Trump that, after the show, he made his way backstage and demanded that the singer refund him at least half his money.” Pavarotti refused but apologized and offered to do another show soon. – National Post (Canada)
HELP FOR THE BARNES
The Getty Trust gives the Barnes Foundation $500,000 to help bail it out of financial difficulty. The help also includes some Getty staff. “The grant is the first large donation since the Barnes announced a $15 million emergency fund-raising campaign last summer, and it gave the Barnes’ leaders new hope that they will be able to avoid closing the art-appreciation school in Merion and its world-famous gallery of Cezannes, Renoirs, Matisses and other works.” – Philadelphia Inquirer
SCULPTURE INTO THE SPOTLIGHT
Citing a lack of recognition and funding for sculpture – “the bridesmaid of the arts,” the National Gallery of Australia has inaugurated an annual National Sculpture Prize. – Sydney Morning Herald
THE BOOM GOES ON
Six records were set at Christie’s first sale of post-war art Wednesday night, which brought in a total of $59.7 million. The buyers? “They’re selective, but they’ll spend big, big money.” – New York Times
SAWALLISCH’S NEW INTENSITY
Wolfgang Sawallisch is on his way out the Philadelphia Orchestra’s music director. But as he’s turned 77 the critics are noting a new intensity in his performances. While Sawallisch notes the change, he’s at a loss to explain it. – Philadelphia Inquirer
A MAN AND HIS DOME
Pierre-Yves Gerbeau, the former Disney exec brought in to run the beleaguered Millennium Dome after its shaky start earlier this year, announced in a radio interview that he will personally purchase the attraction if no one else can be found to come to its rescue. “I am telling you that, if it is not bought, I am going to buy it myself.” – The Telegraph (UK)
PYRAMID PUZZLE REVEALED
The ancient Egyptians lined up the pyramids according to the position of the stars at the time. Their ability to do that allows scientists now to pinpoint exactly when the structures were built. “These stars were important for religious reasons. The king hoped to join them for eternity after his death. It was their alignment in the sky that enabled the architects to align the pyramids with true north with the amazing accuracy that has been puzzling scientists ever since.” – Discovery
BRITAIN’S LOTTERY WINNINGS
Britain’s lottery funding for the arts has recently come under fire for some of its dodgier projects. But “for the first time since the great days of Victorian self-confidence, Britain has been pouring money into what you might call cultural assets. Museums, galleries, stadiums, botanical gardens, new and refurbished public buildings have been popping up all over the country. The idea behind the National Lottery was that it would finance all those good things that often get squeezed out of government budgets.” – The Economist 11/16/00