“In this First Person account David talks to the BBC about taking on such a high profile role in Russia and shares a rarely seen home video of him training as a teenager.”
Author: Matthew Westphal
Louisville Orchestra Bosses To Begin Hiring Replacement Players Next Week
“Citing a breakdown in negotiations with its musicians, the Louisville Orchestra said Monday that it would ‘begin the process of hiring permanent replacements for our musicians’ as early as next week.” Management has informed the players that “they each have until next Monday to decide if they want to preserve their positions.”
Louisville Strike Spillover: Kentucky Opera May Do Next Show With Keyboards
“The Kentucky Opera might use two pianists and a harpsichord rather than 35 Louisville Orchestra musicians for November’s performances of The Marriage of Figaro.” The players’ union “placed the opera on its ‘unfair list,’ meaning any unionized musician who works for the opera could be fined.”
BBC Launches New Radio Drama Awards
“The BBC Audio Drama Awards will be held in January next year, and will feature categories including best audio drama, best actor and actress in an audio drama, and best scripted comedy drama. There will also be awards for best online only audio drama, best supporting actor or actress in an audio drama and best adaptation, as well as one for best use of sound in an audio drama.”
NPR-Occupy DC Flap: Host Keeps Gig, NPR Drops Show
“NPR will no longer distribute the member station-produced program World of Opera to about 60 stations across the country” after host Lisa Simeone became involved with the Occupy DC protest. Instead, the North Carolina station that produces the show will keep Simeone on and distribute the program itself.
Taipei Museum Sticks It To Beijing Over Ai Weiwei
“‘Ai Weiwei Absent’ will open in the municipal Taipei Fine Arts Museum in the island’s capital on October 29 for three months, featuring his installation pieces, photography, sculpture, and videos.” Said a city spokesman, “It’s a pity that Ai himself cannot come to Taipei.”
Another Upstate New York Orchestra Runs Out Of Cash
“Debt, staff cuts and the resignation of longtime conductor Chuck Schneider have silenced the Utica Symphony Orchestra in its 100th year.” Neither maestro nor musicians have yet been paid for last season.
Joss Whedon’s Surprise Shakespeare Movie
“Joss Whedon has directed, adapted, cast and filmed an entire movie – an adaptation of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing – in secret.” He shot the entire script over 12 days just after finishing Marvel’s big-budget feature The Avengers.
The Centurie’s-Long Battles Over Proper Punctuation
“People fuss about punctuation not only because it clarifies meaning but also because its neglect appears to reflect wider social decline. And while the big social battles seem intractable, smaller battles over the use of the apostrophe feel like they can be won. Yet the status of this and other cherished marks has long been precarious. The story of punctuation is one of comings and goings.”
Two-Way PR Coup? Basketball Star Takes Up Ballet
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Michael Beasley has had public relations problems lately, what with a marijuana bust and shoving a fan. As part of an effort to improve both his physical condition and his image, he has begun attendng ballet classes regularly.