Filmmaker Anthony Minghella, who died earlier this week, “was far more than the sum of his credits; he was truly an industry leader… Above all, he had a refreshing lack of arrogance. He did not believe in sweeping into a foreign country with an American or British film crew, and ordering the locals around.”
Author: sbergman
Anyone Want A Dead 10-Year Old Fish For £150K?
“A fish that escaped being battered, despite spending almost a decade inches from the deep fat fryer in a Leeds chippie, is to be sold – for up to £150,000.” A bit overpriced, you say? Well, the beast has been carefully preserved in formaldehyde… by Damien Hirst.
Theatre For The Nap & Drool Set
“Theatre for toddlers is booming. [But] is it just glorified babysitting – or a powerful cultural experience? Is there any point in performing to children who are still mastering the art of sitting up, let alone walking and talking?”
Tolkien First Edition Feches Big Bucks On The Block
“A 1937 first edition of JRR Tolkien’s The Hobbit has been sold at auction to an anonymous bidder for £60,000 – twice what it was expected to reach… The copy of The Hobbit is inscribed to Tolkien’s friend Elaine Griffiths, who had originally helped get it published.”
Sci-Fi Legend Arthur C. Clarke, 90
“British science fiction writer Sir Arthur C Clarke has died in Sri Lanka at the age of 90… He came to fame in 1968 when a short story The Sentinel was made into the film 2001: A Space Odyssey by director Stanley Kubrick.”
Another Dutch-Islamic Clash Coming?
“Is Europe learning any lessons from harsh collisions between free speech and the religious sensibilities of Muslims? The next few weeks may provide an answer as The Netherlands gears up for the release of a short film, expected to be fiercely critical of Islam, by right-wing politician Geert Wilders, who has called the Koran a fascist book. Past experience is not encouraging…”
Vancouver Maestro Takes Summer Gig With LA Phil
“Vancouver Symphony Orchestra conductor Bramwell Tovey has been selected as principal guest conductor of the Los Angeles Philharmonic at its outdoor Hollywood Bowl.” The appointment won’t affect Tovey’s schedule in Vancouver, as the VSO doesn’t play a summer season.
Columbus Talks Begin With Tension All Around
“Musicians and board members of the financially strapped Columbus Symphony will meet this afternoon to begin discussions” on a management proposal to convert 23 full-time musicians to part-time freelancers, and shave 12 weeks off the orchestra’s season. Both sides will have lawyers present, and no one is saying publicly what they expect the result of the discussions to be.
Native Music Gets Some Big Orchestral Attention
A new Cleveland-based record label devoted to promoting the music of Native American composers has released its first CD, featuring the San Francisco Symphony performing music by composer Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate. The Chickasaw Nation, of which Tate is a member, footed the entire bill for the recording.
UT Music School Scores $55m Gift
“Longtime Austin arts philanthropists Ernest and Sarah Butler have agreed to donate $55 million to what they consider the backbone of many local arts organizations: the University of Texas’ School of Music… Proceeds from about two-thirds of the Butlers’ gift will be used for scholarships and other student support, with the balance earmarked for faculty assistance and other programs.”