The musicians of the Boston Symphony are reportedly well pleased with James Levine as their new music director, but the maestro’s predilection for over-long programs and extra rehearsals has some players begging for a break. The BSO agreed to several rules changes in order to secure Levine’s services, among them an agreement that there could be more than the traditional 4 rehearsals for a given program. But that extra time on stage has apparently caused several minor injuries already within the orchestra’s ranks, and others are concerned about nagging arm and shoulder pain, as well as simple fatigue. Levine has reportedly been responsive to the musicians’ concerns, and has retooled a couple of programs as a result.
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Union Files Complaint Against Washington Ballet
Washington Ballet’s new dancers’ union has filed a complaint against the company. “AGMA last week told the National Labor Relations Board in a formal “charge against employer” that the ballet company had informed guild members Nikkia Parish and Brian Corman that they would be terminated. AGMA claims the termination is in retaliation for the dancers’ “support and activities” on AGMA’s behalf and for their testimony in favor of the union at a January NLRB hearing to determine an appropriate bargaining unit for the company’s dancers.”
UK To Invest In Arts Leadership
Arts Council England intends to allocate £12 million extra for training for arts leaders. “Our artists and arts institutions have an international reputation for excellence. But we need to make sure the management and leadership of the companies matches it. That’s why we’re investing in skills to help correct this.”
Why Riverdance Rocks
John Rockwell explores the Riverdance phenomenon. “It’s easy to be sniffy about the “Riverdance” experience. I’ve been sniffy myself. But it is what it is, and what it is is Las Vegas-style entertainment. As such it’s far more popular than most dance. Which makes people scornful and envious. They even go so far as to deny that this is dance at all, which is silly. “Riverdance” goes out of its way to demonstrate connections between other forms of heel-and-toe-tapping folk dance, like flamenco and tap. And some of the dancing is pretty spectacular.”
Asia: Courting The Guggenheim
Asian cities are still wooing the New York-based contemporary-art institution. For many, especially here in the greater China region, the specter of cloning Bilbao’s boom is just too seductive. The Bilbao model has strong appeal in Asia, which is warming up to an idea the West realized long ago. Cities can prosper by attracting creative industries — architecture, art, music and publishing — and establishing themselves as animated places to live.
The Digital-Defying Book Biz
The Paris Book Fair opens this weekend, as publishers take stock of their business. “Books are becoming more democratic. Fewer than nine percent of homes had no books in 1997, compared with more than a quarter in 1993. A huge study of the publishing market across the European Union has just been completed, which showed that in 2002 Britain led the way with some 120,000 new books, of all genres. Germany came in second with about 80,000, closely followed by Spain, Italy and France, all with about 60,000 to 70,000 new titles a year. In France the numbers have doubled in the past decade.”
Frank Rich’s Move Back To Op-Ed
After making a big mark as weekly columnist for the New York Times’ Arts & Leisure section, Frank Rich moves back to the op-ed page. “Mr. Rich said that he has “loved” writing his column for Arts and Leisure. But the section goes to press on Tuesdays, which has forced him to write his column days before it gets published. The delay between writing and hitting the newsstand was a sore point. “I can’t say I liked having it sit there without being able to touch it,” Mr. Rich said.
Armory Show Gives Up On Essential Ingredient
“It’s hard to criticize a trade show for being, well, a trade show. Throughout its seven years as the Armory Show, and in its previous incarnation as the Gramercy International Art Fair, this beast has, at moments, been the largest and most realistic reflection of New York’s—and sometimes even the world’s—contemporary art commerce. Dealers never brought the best of the best—that stuff’s not for public consumption—but they’ve always tried to make themselves look good. That made it buzzy and fun: Once upon a time, the art was surprising, sometimes ugly and sometimes downright nasty—but better yet, the fair displayed enormous egos and riveting internecine political machinations. But the fun—like most of the paintings—is on hold.”
La Scala Musicians Vote To Oust Muti
Musicians and other employees of La Scala have voted overwhelmingly for the resignation of musical director Riccardo Muti, and the entire governing board. “In a day of operatic drama, rumours swept Milan that 64-year-old Muti had agreed to go. But they were denied by theatre officials.”
Can Whitney Make Its Case For Expansion Plan?
The Whitney Museum goes to New York’s Landmarks Preservation Board to get permission to demolish two brownstones for an expansion. But there is resistance. “When we are being asked to demolish a historic building, I think we should be shown that it is really necessary for the programmatic function – not just a design function. The Whitney doesn’t seem to be making a compelling case for the loss.”