Oboist and Mozart In The Jungle author Blair Tindall says that concern over drinking and drug use among classical musicians is overblown, and that the use of beta blockers does not equate to the sort of recreational drug use rampant in the pop world.
Author: sbergman
Orange Prize To UK’s Tremain
“Rose Tremain is one of Britain’s most celebrated authors and yet her latest novel, the recipient of rave reviews, was not even longlisted for the Man Booker prize. So… it was a case of patience rewarded when she won the £30,000 Orange Broadband prize for fiction with The Road Home.”
Scotland Yard Seizes Millions In Cash, Art
A British law enforcement raid on thousands of safe deposit boxes has yielded several important works of Renaissance art, part of a much larger trove of cash and valuables said to be tied to organized crime.
Charges In Brazen UK Home Invasion/Art Theft
“A man has been charged over the theft of a collection of Lowry paintings worth up to £1m from an art collector’s home in Greater Manchester. Ivan Aird was tied up and his wife and two-year-old daughter threatened during the robbery in Cheadle Hulme last May.”
Fund For Slain Cellist Causes Controversy In Georgia
“The Augusta Symphony launched a fund nearly two weeks ago to memorialize slain cellist David Reader, who was killed in the early morning of May 11 on East Boundary Street. But the announcement of the fund… caused a bitter and mean-spirited debate on crime and punishment on one local message board.”
Europe Warming Up To American-Style Fundraising
“The very notion of hitting up private companies and rich people for money, of setting up boards of trustees and answering to them, the way American cultural organizations do, appalled” many in Europe’s cultural sphere only a few years ago. But times are changing, and as government subsidies dwindle, arts groups across Europe are clamoring for private funds.
Osaka Orchestra Turns To Public After Gov’t Cuts
“The Century Orchestra Osaka has announced plans for a new supporters’ club to raise funds to help the ensemble survive a financial crisis brought on by the withdrawal of subsidies from the Osaka prefectural government. With an annual membership fee of just 1,000 yen… it is hoped the club will attract enough members to ease the financial strain threatening the orchestra’s existence.”
Drunk Driver On Trial For Killing Two Oregon Musicians
A trial has begun for the Oregon woman charged in the deaths of two members of the Eugene Symphony last year. “Fivea Sharipoff, 26, at left, is charged with manslaughter, assault and driving under the influence after a wrong-way crash on Interstate 5 last year.”
A Different Kind Of Virtuoso Fiddler
If you’re looking for evidence that classical music stars need not be stunningly beautiful women in low-cut dresses to be successful in the 21st century, you could do worse than Greek violinist Leonidas Kavakos. Unlike some soloists, Kavakos is all about substance, a reputation shaped by a demanding series of teachers and a devotion to the folk melodies of his home country.
London To Be Open On Sunday (Finally)
To American theatregoers, it seems almost unbelievable that London’s world-famous theatres are dark every Sunday. That tradition is about to change, though, as the UK’s National Theatre is preparing to offer Sunday matinees, with other venues sure to follow. Many in London are wondering what took so long.