Deposed La Scala music director Riccardo Muti has said in an interview that he is “considering an offer” from the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, which is currently searching for a new music director to replace Daniel Barenboim. Whether the offer is for Muti to be the next podium star in Chicago is not known, and since CSO management has made it clear that it wants Barenboim’s successor to spend significant time in the city engaging the community and raising money, tasks which Muti did not relish during his time as MD in Philadelphia, the Italian maestro might not seem to be a natural choice for Chicago. Muti refused to elaborate on exactly what the CSO offer might entail.
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Pittsburgh’s Slimmed-Down Ring
Hot on the heels of the Chicago Lyric Opera’s Ring cycle, the Opera Theatre of Pittsburgh has announced plans to present a “streamlined” version of the massive Wagner cycle over the next two summers. The cut-down Ring, which was conceived by Jonathan Dove for the UK’s City of Birmingham Opera, features a chamber orchestra in the pit and minimal costumes and sets. Traditional Ring cycles cost millions to stage, and are considered out of the realm of possibility for all but the largest companies, but the Dove version is expected to cost no more than $250,000.
An Artist Pension Fund Plan Made Of Art
A pension scheme for artists was unveiled in London Monday. Money for the fund would be generated by artists contributing artworks. “The UK trust would aim to cover 250 working artists, vetted by experts before they join the scheme. They would contribute 20 artworks over 20 years, to be sold when prices are judged to be right.”
Fox Wants Viewers To Make A Commitment
Ever since the Fox sitcom Arrested Development hit the air two years ago, critics have been begging viewers to tune in, lest the innovative program go the way of other “smart” comedies, which is to say, into the network dustbin. The show has never become a hit, though, and a third season is very much in doubt. But Fox, which has traditionally been quick to cancel low-rated programs, is taking an unusual approach to the future of Arrested, asking fans of the show to sign an online “loyalty oath” promising to watch and support the show if it is brought back.
Bryn Terfel Leads Nominations For Classical Brits
Terfel’s album Silent Noon – with Malcolm Martineau – has received nods in the album of the year and Ensemble/ Orchestral album of the year groups. He is also nominated for Male Artist of the Year, where he faces competition from Sir Colin Davis and Aled Jones.”
CanFilm Wants Tougher Copyright Laws
Movie theatre owners are getting better at spotting film pirates who attend premieres armed with tiny video cameras, but in Canada, the law has yet to catch up with the times. In fact, in many cases, those caught trying to create illegal bootlegs of the latest Hollywood blockbuster are charged with nothing worse than trespassing. Now, the Canadian film industry is putting pressure on the government to toughen up the laws and provide some disincentive to the tapers.
A New Season, With Something Missing
When the Colorado Ballet announced last year that it would kick off its stay in Denver’s beautiful new opera house with an $800,000 production choreographed by Christopher Wheeldon, everyone wondered where the company would get the money to pull off such a show. As it turns out, the company didn’t know, either. The ballet’s new season was unveiled this week, with no mention of the Wheeldon project, and the company’s artistic director says that the plans to stage the monumental show were hasty and “impractical.” The ballet still hopes to raise the money for the project and perform it in the 2006-07 season.
Spiritual Home Of Renaissance Art
“When the cardinals convene today in the Sistine Chapel, they will be listening not only for the voice of the Holy Spirit but for those of Michelangelo, Raphael, Botticelli and other titans of the Italian Renaissance, whose paintings and frescoes adorn its walls and ceilings. No place is richer in spiritual inspiration and admonition than this – from Botticelli’s Punishment of the Rebels to Michelangelo’s Last Judgment, the most harrowing depiction of sin and damnation in Western art. The room has a vote.”
Bloggers Band Together To Promote Old-Fashioned Lit
“Marking a departure from the solitary life of reading and writing, about 20 independent literary bloggers announced last week that they will begin working together in hopes of drawing readers to books they feel deserve more attention, while seeking to generate more and deeper public discussions of literature. Calling themselves the Litblog Co-Op, the effort includes the sites the Elegant Variation, Moorishgirl, Rake’s Progress and Confessions of an Idiosyncratic Mind, all of which will continue to operate separately, the bloggers say.”
And For Another $10, Emeril Will Conduct “Bolero”
Serving as music director of an American orchestra, even a small one, is a multifaceted job, and these days, there seem to be almost as many fundraising responsibilities for U.S. conductors as musical ones. Still, the Binghamton (NY) Philharmonic may have a first on its hands with its latest moneymaking scheme: a $10 raffle, with the winner getting the services of music director Jose Luis Novo for an evening. No, Novo won’t be making any music in the winner’s home. He’ll just be cooking dinner.