In 1860, Western powers pillaged the Summer Palace outside Beijing and carted off some of its treasures. A hundred-and-forty-something years later, wealthy Chinese are buying back the bronzes looted from the palace. “Among the Chinese people, it’s a crowd-pleasing campaign. They still feel bitter resentment at the thuggery of the invading Western powers that exploited China’s weakness in the 19th century.”
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Saving The English National Opera
“It is easy, when meeting Seán Doran, to grasp why English National Opera sees him as its potential saviour. He only has to open his mouth and you feel he has the gift of the blarney. When you listen to him expounding, in a lilting Irish accent, his visions for the future of opera, the least you can do is nod and agree…”
Iran Offers To Help Restore Iraq Culture
Iran’s Cultural Heritage Organization has told the United Nations it is ready to help restore Iraq’s cultural heritage. “Iraqi historical heritage is considered part of the cultural and civilization sphere of Iran. That’s why their restoration and preservation is important for Iranian culture and religion.”
Greek Museum Denies Loan Of El Greco
A Greek museum has refused a request from London’s National Gallery for the loan of an el Greco painting, because Greek officials are worried the work might be confiscated. A Swiss man has claimed ownership of he painting, which he says was stolen by the Nazis.
Now In Church – Monty Python At The Organ
Apparently some British church organists are having fun with their church service performances, spicing them up with tunes from decidedly secular fare – from Monty Python to pop tunes. “The tunes – reported to range from the EastEnders theme to Dambusters at a Remembrance Day service – are usually disguised and intended to amuse only those in the know.”
Adagio For Sick People
Simon Rattle and the Philadelphia Orchestra dedicated Saturday night’s performance of Barber’s Adagio for Strings to Robert Harth, Carnegie Hall’s director who died Friday. The orchestra was in the middle of the performance when a man in the audience stood up, having a heart attack. After the man was taken out, the music started again, and another audience member came up sick…
The Real Balanchine
“Five dancers who worked with George Balanchine at the New York City Ballet gathered recently, on the occasion of his birth centennial, to discuss the choreographer. Their remarks evoked a man of demanding genius, magnetic elegance, mysterious wisdom and a fondness for joking, TV’s ‘Gunsmoke’ and pizza.”
Denver Theatre Needs Overhaul As Search Continues For New Leadership
The Denver Center Theatre is looking for a new director. But the way it is going about it seems a bit narrow, writes Lisa Bornstein…
Denver Arts Institutions Had A Difficult 2003
Overall, Denver’s arts organizations saw declines in attendance, membership and fundraising in 2003. It was the second year in a row of declines…
Our Special Effection For The Movies
“In the past decade studio budgets for special effects have exploded. Effects budgets have gone from $5 million a movie to $50 million. It’s now not uncommon for movies to cost $150 million, with effects accounting for a third of that budget. There’s barely any movie made today that doesn’t have digital clean-up, matte painting, wire removal or fixing something out of place, like bags under the eyes on a bad day. The cost increases result largely from the growing sophistication of special effects.”