Two years ago, the San Antonio Symphony was in dire financial straits, and came perilously close to shutting down completely. Today, as the SAS launches its second full season following a tumultuous period in bankruptcy, things are looking up, and the orchestra is seeing a sharp uptick in ticket sales as well as philanthropic giving. “The symphony already has $2 million of its almost $6 million budget for the 2005-06 season,” and officials are confident that the ensemble will be able to operate without a deficit this year.
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Philly Singers Cancel Half Season
The Philadelphia Singers, one of that city’s major choral groups, has canceled half its season. “The decision comes after five years of declining support from private donors, foundations and subscribers, which numbered 400 last year. Executive director Rebecca Bolden called the move ‘painful’ but ‘fiscally responsible’ in consideration of the chorus’ $40,000 deficit against a $600,000 annual budget.”
The Highest Soprano In The World?
Surely Diana Damrau sings the highest of any soprano. In a world where high “C” is considered an upper range, she goes higher. Much higher. “Last December, in the first modern performance of Antonio Salieri’s “Europa Riconosciuta,” at La Scala in Milan, she topped the composer’s three F sharps with an unwritten high G. What’s more, she managed to give that unearthly note real sheen and body. And in concert, she has sung an A flat in Johann Strauss’s “Voices of Spring.”
Do-Over – When Prominent Architecture Needs Fixin’
The Wexner Center for the Arts at Ohio State University was architect Peter Eisenman’s first large-scale work, a renowned 1989 building. But it leaked. And the temperature inside swung wildly during the day. Eventually the museum had to close for a redo. “That leaks and zigzagging temperatures would plague such an experimental building is not so surprising, some architects say, given that the design elements would have been challenging for any structural engineer. But, inevitably, the setbacks of celebrated architects seem to draw attention.”
New Orleans As A Literary Character
Setting a book in any city helps define the story. But New Orleans isn’t just any city; the city is a powerful character. “Gertrude Stein famously complained that when it came to Oakland, Calif., there was no “there” there. New Orleans, conversely, could be accused of having too much “there” there: It’s a city stuffed with ambience, bursting at the scenes with color and flavor and sound.”
The Titian Under The Paint
It was a painting by a mediocre artist. But there was something under the top layers of paint. “What lies beneath is a Titian, a unique double portrait of a mother and daughter whose subjects remain an intriguing mystery. Christie’s yesterday announced it was auctioning Portrait of a Lady and Her Daughter in December for an estimated £5 million.”
Naxos Joins The Podcast Parade
Everybody’s getting in to podcasts. The latest is the recording label Naxos. “The label has five free mini-documentaries on classical music already available, and more are on the way. ‘They’re not really sales pieces. We designed them to help people get involved, learn about and appreciate classical music. It gets kids thinking about classical music too, using a medium that younger people are tuned in to’.”
Munch’s Hell
The currently missing Scream may be Edvard Munch’s best-known painting, but the bleak, horrible emotion running through that work is a good representation of the artist’s overall body of work. In fact, Munch was arguably the world’s most skilled artist at inspiring a feeling of utter dread in those who view his work. “His relentless and self-absorbed despair makes everyone else’s spleen look almost kittenish. Hell, you realise, could be defined as being locked in a small room with Edvard Munch for all eternity; and certainly it seemed that way to Munch himself.”
Washington Ballet Settles Labor Case
“Rather than proceed with a National Labor Relations Board hearing, the Washington Ballet has settled a discrimination complaint with the union representing its dancers, bringing to a close an episode that shone an unflattering light on the inner workings of the institution. The American Guild of Musical Artists had alleged that Artistic Director Septime Webre had illegally dismissed two dancers in retaliation for their efforts enabling AGMA to represent the dancers. The ballet maintained that the two were let go for artistic reasons. One dancer, Brian Corman, was rehired after AGMA filed its complaint… Nikkia Parish, the other dancer in the case, has not been rehired.”
The “Poor Me” Genre Of Celebrity Film
As America and the world become ever more obsessed with fame and the people who have it, it seems that celebrities themselves become increasingly unhappy with their lot. In fact, a stunning number of the films currently on view at the Toronto International Film Festival seem to be about the liability of celebrity, and the great sacrifices one makes in order to be famous. Such navel-gazing may ring hollow with some movie-goers struggling to make ends meet, but Geoff Pevere says that at their best, such films “focus on the spirit-sapping contradictions between being well-known and mortally flawed, of trying to reconcile private needs and public demand.”