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Jan Wahl, Children’s Book Author Who Worked With Greatest Illustrators, Dead At 87

“[He] was an extraordinarily prolific author who published more than 100 books, many of which found favor with children and parents alike. His collaborating with leading book artists” — among them Maurice Sendak, Edward Gorey, and Norman Rockwell — “was one measure of the esteem with which his work was held; they can be notably selective about what children’s book authors they’ll work with.” – The New York Times

Could Daniel Harding Finally Hit It Big In The US?

The English conductor, who started out as a wunderkind protégé of Simon Rattle in Birmingham, has a solid career in Europe, but he had a difficult time when he debuted with the big American orchestras in the ’00s. Now 43, he’s in the States leading the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra on its tour. Can he find success here? Zachary Woolfe talks to Harding, and to such observers as Rattle and Deborah Borda. – The New York Times

What Are Museums To Do About The Sackler Name They Have Everywhere?

The Sackler family has been giving millions to art institutions for half a century. Now they, and the recipients of their generosity, are coming under heavy pressure from activists protesting the opioid crisis, because the Sacklers own Purdue Pharma, which has made and marketed OxyContin for 23 years. Thing is, many different Sacklers have been donors, and not all of them have had any involvement with OxyContin. Reporter Peggy McGlone looks into the issue. – The Washington Post

London Theatre To Focus On ‘Research-Driven’ Performance

University College London’s Bloomsbury Theatre, now back in action after a 3½-year renovation, aims to re-examine “traditional ideas about the role of theatre in a research-intensive university.” UCL’s new Performance Lab “will explore how live performance and research can inspire each other, bringing artists and organisations into the theatre to work with researchers from fields including science, technology, art and design.” – The Stage