“So how broke is the state of Washington? It’s so broke it could start selling off its art collection – including some masterpieces – and using the money to pay for low-income students to go to college.”
Author: Matthew Westphal
Where Women Orchestral Players Outnumber The Men: South Korea
“Of the 105 members of Seoul Philharmonic, women account for 65 members, or 62 percent. The ratio is even higher for the Bucheon Philharmonic Orchestra, where 63 of its 74 members are women, or 85 percent.” One Korean critic attributes the phenomenon to traditional Confucian gender roles.
Taviani Brothers, Now In Their 80s, Win Golden Lion In Berlin
“The Italian docudrama Caesar Must Die from octogenarian sibling film-makers Paolo and Vittorio Taviani won the top prize at the Berlin film festival on Saturday. The film follows real-life inmates of a high-security jail as they rehearse for a performance of William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar.“
English National Ballet Loses Artistic Director Wayne Eagling
“The company gives no reason for this exceedingly short notice, which leaves them having to advertise the third most significant job in British ballet within the next few days, and a precipitate appointment procedure only weeks after the departure of their managing director.”
Is Culture Replacing Class At The Heart Of British Society?
Television broadcaster Melvyn Bragg: “Class has not slunk away from these islands. It never will. Too many people have an investment in it. But … I would argue that we are now a nation of cultures rather than a nation of classes. If we look at the passion with which people describe what they do in their leisure time, you have a truer picture of our society today.”
Ben Heppner, With More Vocal Trouble, Pulls Out Of Moby-Dick In San Diego
In the West Coast premiere of Jake Heggie’s hit opera on Saturday, Heppner’ voice was reportedly in distress. Now he has withdrawn from Tuesday’s performance due to illness, with the two remaining dates up in the air.
Soprano Elizabeth Connell Dead At 65
She began her four-decade career as a mezzo and became a widely-praised dramatic soprano, working frequently at Covent Garden and Opera Australia. Born in South Africa, she starred in the historic 2004 staging of Fidelio in honor of Nelson Mandela at Robben Island prison.
Reed Elsevier Fights Back Against Academic Boycott Of Its Journals
CEO Erik Engstrom: “We are taking the petition very seriously and we are engaging with our stakeholders to better understand and address their concerns … All [objections] … are based on misstatements or misunderstandings of the fact.”
Anna Pavlova – What Made Her Great?
“She evidently lacked the dynamic virtuosity of her contemporary Karsavina … Her technique was, by modern standards, limited. But what she did have was a unique charm, matched to a lithe but wiry physique (including an exceptionally long, pliant neck and high-arched feet) which gave her musculature a feline ease and sensuality.”
Memphis Symphony Hangs Onto Its Fast-Rising Conductor A Few Years Longer
“Mei-Ann Chen, whose growing stature as a conductor is earning increased notice around the country, has agreed to stay on as Music Director of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra for an additional three years.”