“Pigs, cows, goats, horses, and dogs that allegedly broke the law were routinely subjected to the same legal proceedings as humans. In a court of law, they were treated as persons. … What the trials strongly suggest is that pre-industrial citizens deemed the animals among them worthy of human justice primarily because they had, like humans, the free will to make basic choices.”
Author: Matthew Westphal
Conductor Wolfgang Sawallisch, 89
After 20 years at the musical helm of the Bavarian State Opera in Munich, he crowned his career with a decade as music director of the Philadelphia Orchestra. Sawallisch described those ten years as the high point of his symphonic life, and many observers (including more than a few of the players) believe that he was the best music director the Philadelphians ever had.
Justice: Hilary Mantel’s Book Sales Spike As Result Of Kate Middleton Flap
“Hilary Mantel’s Wolf Hall has climbed the Amazon charts following saturation media coverage of her comments about the Duchess of Cambridge.”
Vienna’s Jewish Museum Criticized For Not Returning Looted Art
“When the Jewish Museum of Vienna was founded in 1988 it was entrusted with safeguarding the art, books and Judaica that survived the Nazis’ attempt to exterminate their owners. But now, 25 years later, the museum has acknowledged it may be in possession of hundreds of items that were looted during the war and not returned to the families who lost them..”
Olivier Awards Overhauls Judging Of Prizes
“Major changes are being planned for the judging process behind the Olivier Awards to give members of the Society of London Theatre a greater say over who wins.” Unlike the Tonys, Oscars and BAFTAs, a small panel of judges had been choosing the winners; Society members voted only in the nominating process.
Jodi Melnick, Diva Of Downtown Dance, Is Plenty Good Enough For Ballet
“I do think there’s an idea that if you’re a modern dancer it must be because you weren’t good enough to be a ballerina. I did not set out to do modern dance because I didn’t have that body type or that technique. This was a conscious decision. It had more relevance to me.”
Covent Garden’s Next Boss Will Have Big Shoes To Fill
“Next month Tony Hall leaves the Royal Opera House to become director-general of the BBC. He has worked wonders in his 12 years as chief executive at the Royal Opera House, and he’s going to be one hell of a hard act to follow.” A look at what Hall’s successor will need to do and be.
Covent Garden’s Next Boss: Handicapping The Candidates
Rupert Christiansen considers six likely contenders, including one woman.
What The Best Picture Nominees Say About America (According To A Brit)
“They certainly remind us of the optimism, innocence and joy with which America has gladdened the world since the big screen’s inception.” And yet … “Good must triumph over evil, and this may require the best efforts of American heroes. As frontiersmen or their descendants, these heroes aren’t required to stand on ceremony. The faint-hearts and surrender-monkeys of the old world may get side-tracked by scruples; but that isn’t the American way.”
An Oscar Category We Ought To Have: Best Cameo
The Guardian offers six potential nominees whose performances “made the most impact with the least effort.”