“The Met, despite its perpetual financial struggles, shows no signs of capsizing. Though dozens of competitors have come and gone, it lumbers on, embattled but essential. What it offers—and what no pocket-sized company, however edgy, can match—is an acoustical environment commensurate with the grandeur of the form. To hear an unamplified voice surmounting a full orchestra and pinging across a large space is an elemental thrill that lies somewhere between high culture and extreme sports.”
Author: ArtsJournal2
The Ballet Company That Doesn’t Pretend Compulsory Heterosexuality Is Real
“The word ‘Ballez’ was born, initially as a joke. We thought, ‘What could be more ridiculous than downtown, queer dancers expressing their values in a ballet?'”
A Von Trapp Tries To Bring New Energy To Old Rodgers And Hammerstein Songs
Elizabeth von Trapp “listened as Vermont musician Christopher Peterman led ‘The Sound of Music’ not with the sweeping orchestral music fans of that movie are used to, but with a wistful saxophone that tapped into something deeper. That was just what she was looking for.”
Top Posts From AJBlogs For 03.27.16
How Relevant is My Arts Organization? Take this Self-Test!
Arts administrators worry. We worry about cash flow. We worry about achieving and sustaining consensus. We worry about attracting and retaining quality staff team. We worry about logistics. We worry about outstanding grant applications and… … read more
AJBlog: Audience WantedPublished 2016-03-27 David Baker, 1931-2016
AJBlog: Audience WantedPublished 2016-03-27 David Baker, 1931-2016
No vacation can deflect the march of time. I am sad to learn of the death yesterday at 84 of the trombonist, cellist, composer and music educator David Baker. He is pictured here, on the… … read more
AJBlog: RiffTidesPublished 2016-03-27
AJBlog: RiffTidesPublished 2016-03-27
South Africa’s Citizen Artists: Mbovu Malinga*
*This is the second essay in a series of four “We the Audience” posts designed to introduce my readers to the citizen artists working in some of South Africa’s most challenged areas. Today’s essay focuses… … read more
AJBlog: We The AudiencePublished 2016-03-27
*This is the second essay in a series of four “We the Audience” posts designed to introduce my readers to the citizen artists working in some of South Africa’s most challenged areas. Today’s essay focuses… … read more
AJBlog: We The AudiencePublished 2016-03-27
Trump Detour: Via Bernie’s Home State
Once upon a time — in Vermont, of all places — Sinclair Lewis sat down to write a counterfactual satire about American politics. Never having cracked the book myself, I’m grateful to Chris Braithwaite for… … read more
AJBlog: Straight|UpPublished 2016-03-25
Once upon a time — in Vermont, of all places — Sinclair Lewis sat down to write a counterfactual satire about American politics. Never having cracked the book myself, I’m grateful to Chris Braithwaite for… … read more
AJBlog: Straight|UpPublished 2016-03-25
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Making Art About A Community In Crisis
“They wanted me to tell the public how they showed love. How they sacrificed for each other. How they took care of a disabled homie, gave his family money after he was crippled by a gunshot blast. Or how they would pay for his funeral if he was killed. How they would discourage younger siblings from joining the gang. How they stuck by each other. They had their own code of love. I promised to write about it.”
The Hero Architect Who Built Fine Public Housing In London – And The Penguin Pool At The Zoo
“Lubetkin wanted buildings to empower people. ‘Architecture can be a potent weapon,’ he wrote, ‘a committed driving force on the side of enlightenment, aiming however indirectly at the transformation of our present make-believe society, where images outstrip reality and rewards outpace achievement.'”
Justice Sandra Day O’Connor Has Become A Video Game Impresario
“Justice O’Connor’s own passions and priorities were central to the development of a number of the games — among them Supreme Decision, in which students take on the role of an imaginary Supreme Court justice who must cast the deciding vote in a case.”
Clap Between Movements, Wear A T-Shirt, Whatever, Just Come To The Symphony
“They know they’re doing their jobs when there is clapping between movements: They got someone who has never experienced classical music into a seat at E.J. Thomas Performing Arts Hall in Akron. And they’ve enticed another person away from his or her smartphone, laptop, iPad or other device for live music.”
What Happens When Debut Novelists Make Risky, Assured Choices?
“Everything is a choice that seems like it could make the whole house of cards fall down — unless you don’t live in a web of doubt. But I write in a dark room of doubt.”
Ann Patchett’s Bookstore Takes To The Road
“The bright blue bookmobile, which hit the road this week, is a roving offshoot of Parnassus Books, a popular independent bookstore. It will roam around town, stopping at food truck rallies, farmers’ markets and outside restaurants.”