“The music industry is scared out of its mind. The mass sharing of music files that exploded on the internet could transfer to mobile networks. The advent of high-speed 3G networks and mobile phones with complex operating systems, Bluetooth and massive storage capacity, could create another “perfect storm”, hurting profits further.”
Blog
Covent Garden Makes Deal With BBC
“The BBC will transmit 16 performances on television over the next four years, backed by documentaries such as an Imagine special on the ROH’s music director, Antonio Pappano, while Radio 3 will broadcast 48 productions. It is a significant commitment for the BBC, not just in terms of airtime but also logistics: for each opera and ballet the BBC records, they talk to the director, choreographer and designer, then rehearse one or two performances before recording a third.”
What’s Wrong With The Royal Academy?
“With a feuding management, a major exhibition cancelled and a former head who claims that the institution needs fundamental reforms, the Royal Academy of Arts appears to be foundering.”
Ray Charles, 73, Dies Of Liver Cancer
“Mr. Charles reshaped American music for half a century as a singer, pianist, songwriter, bandleader and producer. He was a remarkable pianist, at home with splashy barrelhouse playing and precisely understated swing. But his playing was inevitably overshadowed by his voice, a forthright baritone steeped in the blues, strong and impure and gloriously unpredictable.”
Perth’s Housing Crisis
Perth, Australia has a big shortage of performance space. “Why has the same urgency rarely been felt about the lack of decent dance and theatre venues that has plagued the Perth International Arts Festival for at least two decades? And why have actors been told they must wait until 2008 for a new theatre, the first major performance space in 30 years, to open its doors?
Why Are There No Canadian Political Movies?
Americans make plenty of movies about politics. But there are few Canadian political movies. “There are many reasons why this is the case. To begin with, Canadians are less willing to make the imaginative leap necessary to enjoy a movie about domestic politics. Where our neighbours to the south are willing to envision, say, Harrison Ford as the commander-in-chief, someone like Kiefer Sutherland would not be accepted in the role of prime minister.”
Musing On WTC Culture
What cultural projects should be grown in Lower Manhattan around the site of the former World Trade Center? A report is critical of the process so far. “We have a vision of Lower Manhattan as an arts mecca,” reads the executive summary, “with clusters of new and existing cultural groups connected by streets identified as arts corridors and signified with public art.”
Reed: The Decline And Fall Of Broadway
Rex Reed pines for the old days of Broadway. “To see how much it’s changed (mostly for the worst) or to experience how little wit, originality, intelligence and quality remains, all you had to do was watch this year’s Tony awards. Whatever happened to the Golden Age of Broadway? When did the miracles end and the ticket prices become prohibitive? Why did the inspiration and sweat and creative genius dry up and get replaced by helicopters and chandeliers and naked, cussing puppets? Does anybody care?”
Tomorrow’s Arts Leaders Today
Where is the next generation of top leadership in the arts going to come from? A new program in the UK spots talented young arts managers on the way up and tries to embue them with just a little extra…
Is PBS Finding New Politics?
There have been many attempts to try to cut funding for public broadcasting in the US. PBS is supposed to be neutral politically. But now some critics wonder if PBS is adopting more of a political slant…