After playing without a contract for more than half the season, the musicians of the Omaha Symphony have reached a tentative agreement on a new deal. Under the old contract, musicians made a base salary of $29,177 during the 2006-07 season. Details of the new deal have not been disclosed.
Author: sbergman
Naxos Net Gamble Pays Off
Classical music’s scrappiest record label proved to be its most prescient when the internet revolution came upon the world. What put Naxos ahead of the game, and what did founder Klaus Heymann see in the industry that convinced him to make a huge online push when he did?
When Music Requires Construction
The finale of Mahler’s massive 6th Symphony includes two ear-splitting strokes from a percussion instrument the composer described as a “hammer of fate,” The trouble is, Mahler didn’t really specify what such a hammer would look like, and percussionists in orchestras the world over have to get creative when they see the sixth on the schedule.
Randy Quaid Banned, Fined By Equity
Following a disastrous and aborted stage production in Seattle, cast members of the supposedly Broadway-bound Lone Star Love brought actor Randy Quaid up on charges with the Actors Equity union, alleging physical and verbal abuse and blaming Quaid for the show’s early closure. “On Friday, Equity handed down its decision… The union has banned Randy for life – life! – and fined him $81,572.”
Winnipeg Museum Preparing To Be Nationalized
“Sometime next week, [Canadian] Heritage Minister Josée Verner will introduce legislation under which the Museum of Human Rights in Winnipeg will be a national museum – the first outside Ottawa.” The plan is the culmination of an ambitious plan by the Harper government to bring more museums across Canada under the government umbella. Many questions remain, though…
Hobbled Oscar Ceremony Could Cost Millions
A lot of people and organizations have a financial reason to hope that the writers’ strike is settled in time for the Oscars. “No one has put a value on the Oscar brand, but the Oscars aren’t just about the entertainment industry… The fallout would massively affect the fashion, hospitality, broadcast and tourism industries in both direct and indirect costs.”
NY Phil Concert To Be Broadcast In US
The controversial New York Philharmonic concert in North Korea will be aired across the US by PBS, in an unusual broadcast produced by ABC News.
Getty Acquires Penn’s Working-Class Photos
“On Wednesday the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles announced that it had acquired the entire series, 252 full-length portraits of workers — waiters, bakers, butchers, rag-and-bone men — that it called [photographer Irving Penn’s] most extensive body of work.”
Inbal Headed To Prague
“Israel’s Eliahu Inbal has been selected to become the chief conductor of the Czech Philharmonic Orchestra… Inbal, 71, was assuming the post for the 2009-2010 season, replacing Zdenek Macal, who resigned last year after taking the job in 2003.”
Opera Coming To Jacksonville?
A retired opera singer and arts manager is hoping to raise $3m to start up a new opera company in Jacksonville, Florida. The company, which hopes to mount its first production in spring 2009, plans to stage three operas per season, and has signed the Jacksonville Symphony to accompany its shows.