– and “pretentious” art reviews in the newspaper. “Just because we disagree, doesn’t mean we’re Velvet Elvis lovers.” San Francisco Chronicle
Author: Douglas McLennan
DEFENDING THE BROOKLYN
Judge’s ruling in favor of museum Monday wasn’t a surprise, but museums gave a sigh of relief anyway. Museum went too far with private collectors, but that’s just the way things are. New York Times
AND: New York mayor attacks judge on ruling NYT 11/3/99
THE TROUBLE AT TALK
Turmoil at new magazine has staffers coming and going. Insiders dish the dirt. – Village Voice
WHY IS IT THE SERIOUS NOVELS THAT ALWAYS WIN?
Dissecting the thinking behind this year’s Booker Prize for literature. – London Telegraph
RECORD PRICE FOR A VIOLIN
Reports that Yehudi Menuhin’s Guarneri sold at a Zurich auction this week for $3 million. – CBC
A “COCKTAIL LOUNGE PARODY OF HERSELF”
After a limp Halloween performance, critic wonders if Diamanda Galas – “among the most searingly direct and original artists of our day” – has lost it. – San Francisco Chronicle
POINT OF NO RETURN
Opera houses were the last bastion of unamplified sound. No longer. In recent years more theaters have turned to amplification – subtly yes, but some critics hear a difference. – New York Times
INTRIGUE AT COVENT GARDEN
Who’s to blame for the mess at the Royal Opera House? Memoirs from two former directors point the fingers of blame. – London Telegraph
A FILM BY …
In Hollywood, a dispute between directors and screenwriters about who gets to take credit for some films. NPR Morning Edition [Real Audio clip]
TV NEWS GETS A “D”
Enterprise reporting declining on TV – nine of ten stories originate off the police scanner or from planned events, says the Project for Journalistic Excellence. Los Angeles Times