The summer home of the Chicago Symphony – which also hosts a full summer program of song recitals, jazz and pop as well as annual semi-stagings of classic musicals (this year, Camelot) – is freezing the price of pavilion tickets at 2007-2008 levels, which average $25.
Author: Matthew Westphal
Veteran Country Singer Hank Locklin, 91
“Country singer Hank Locklin, whose smooth tenor voice on hits including ‘Send Me the Pillow You Dream On’ and ‘Please Help Me I’m Falling’ marked a career that spanned half a century, has died. He was 91. […] A performer on the Grand Ole Opry for 47 years, Locklin helped usher in ‘the Nashville Sound’ that gave country music a more lush feel.”
Never Let An Intellectual Run Your Revolution
Between 1905 and 1915, there were democracy-oriented revolutions in Russia, Iran, Ottoman Turkey, Portugal, Mexico and China. Who led them? Intellectuals. None lasted more than a few years. Why? “[B]ecause intellectuals overestimated popular democratic support and underestimated the challenges that democracy presented.”
Irish Gov’t Pledges That New Abbey Theatre Will Be Built
“Completing the new Abbey Theatre remains a top government priority, despite the worsening economic climate, according to Irish arts minister Martin Cullen.” The project was approved in 2006, but since then not even the competition to design the theater has been launched.
Turnabout As Fair Play: AP Countersues Shepard Fairey Over Obama Image
When the Associated Press demanded credit and compensation for use of the image of Barack Obama in Shepard Fairey’s iconic “Hope” poster (which the artist based on an AP photo), he filed a prophylactic suit against the news agency, arguing that he was protected under the Fair Use Doctrine. “Today, the AP returned the favor, filing an answer and a countersuit in the U.S. District Court.”
Recession Thumps Nevada Ballet Theatre
The company has let go nine of its 31 dancers, cut its administrative staff and postponed its May program to next season. But all of the soloists and principals are staying on, as is artistic director James Canfield, and the April program is going ahead as planned.
Major Staff Cuts At Philadelphia Orchestra
“In what is only the first step in averting a deficit this season, the Philadelphia Orchestra Association today shed 20 percent of its administrative staff and said other cost-cutting moves were on the way.” Twelve people were laid off, six vacant positions will remain unfilled, and all administrators earning over $50,000 will take pay cuts.
Are The Fabulous Philadelphians Losing Their Lustre?
It’s not enough that the Philadelphia Orchestra finds itself with staff layoffs and a big deficit and without a permanent music director, CEO or board chairman. Problems over the last few years include nasty contract negotiations in 2004, the messy departure last year of ex-music director Christoph Eschenbach (along with his recording contract), continuing questions about the acoustics at Verizon Hall, the scandalous-to-some absence of the Philadelphians from Gramophone‘s list of the world’s 20 best orchestras, and the sense within the industry of “a current of insularity and privilege among the players.”
Los Angeles Ballet Gets By With A Little Help From Its Friends
The company launched its third season last weekend with Balanchine’s Prodigal Son, staged by former Balanchine colleague Patricia Neary. “One of that ballet’s greatest interpreters of the title part, Miami City Ballet director Edward Villella, loaned them costumes and sets (modeled on Georges Rouault’s originals).” And the dancers of the fledgling troupe performed the piece “flawlessly.”
Major Discovery Of Mayan Carvings In Guatemala
“Archeologists have uncovered carved stucco panels depicting cosmic monsters, gods and serpents in Guatemala’s northern jungle that are the oldest known depictions of a famous Mayan creation myth.”