“Continuing its transformation into a full-fledged arts center from merely one of the world’s most storied concert halls, Carnegie Hall next season will fill its three stages with 140 classical concerts, plus more than 45 jazz, folk, world-music, and even pop performances.”
Blog
Broadway’s Winter Blues
Three more shows are closing on Broadway. “This month’s closings will bring the total since the season began last fall to 11, making it one of the more disappointing sessions in recent Broadway history. ‘No one in the Broadway community expected this traditionally challenging season to be so rough’.”
Congress Threatens TV
US Congressional lawmakers, angry about the Janet Jackson Superbowl incident, are roaring about getting tough on TV. “In separate hearings, members of the House of Representatives and Senate told the Federal Communications Commission and the president of Viacom Inc. that fines could just be the beginning of a new crackdown on profanity and indecency on the nation’s airwaves. Most immediately, they appear headed toward passing legislation that would increase tenfold the fine on television and radio broadcasters that violate the FCC decency rules, to a maximum of $275,000 per violation.”
Touring Lou Harrison’s House
The late composer’s house near Joshua Tree National Park, is made of straw, and constructed in a unique, quirky way. “Like Harrison — who incorporated Baroque, Asian and a wide range of other musical forms into complex, achingly beautiful works — it’s a glorious mixture.”
Hip Hop: Coming To America
“So far, foreign rappers have had little success in the United States. But that could change. Hip-hop has long spoken in foreign accents, even if Americans have turned a deaf ear. And if Americans assume that rappers from elsewhere are just copycats, merely translating rather than creating, they’d be wrong.”
Some In Congress Want To “Clean Up” TV
Sensing a good political issue, some in Congress are jockeying to further regulate what can be shown on television. “Senate Commerce Committee chairman John McCain, R-Ariz., led the charge, saying he is so offended by what he sees that he backs regulating cable and satellite TV programming.” Critics say “the FCC commissioners have used their free-floating indecency standard to censor counter-cultural ideas, sexual discussions and language that reflects a sensibility different from their own. Yet the FCC’s censorship power would immediately be recognized as unconstitutional if the medium weren’t broadcasting.”
Boston MFA Adds To Expansion
Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts is working on a $180 million expansion. Yesterday it announced the addition of a new 10,000 square-foot underground gallery to the project. “The new Graham Gund Gallery, which will sit under a new East Wing, will house major temporary exhibitions. The space, part of an expansion to be completed in 2009, isn’t expected to add to the $180 million price tag.”
Young American Conductor: The Opportunities Are In Europe
American conductor Karen Kamensek is a rising young star in Germany, where she’s been appointed chief conductor of the Freiburg Theatre. Why Germany? “Job opportunities for Americans in Europe are certainly better these days than at home, Kamensek told F.A.Z. Weekly. It might simply be a matter of numbers: There are over 80 functioning operas in Germany alone, and Louisville’s opera, for example, plays maybe three operas a year, while at Freiburg, we play three to four a week.”
Austin Museum Cancels Building Plans
Citing the difficulty of raising $43 million, the Austin (Texas) Art Museum has canceled plans to build a new home. “The museum was designed in the late 1990s during a much stronger economic climate in Austin. Museum officials say they are beginning to look at other options for the museum.”
Carmen In The Round
The first Seville International Festival next September is offering a $28.5 million production of Carment staged in the actual places they’re set in the opera. “It will unfold in six hours and on three separate stages, all linked to the original sites described in what is hailed as the world’s most popular opera.”