“The first issue was published 25 years ago this month and distributed in bathroom stalls at the Metropolitan Opera. Now its writers are credentialed press at the Met.” Joshua Barone looks at the history of Parterre Box and talks to its founder and doyenne, James Jorden (aka La Cieca). — The New York Times
Category: music
At Cleveland Orchestra, Deficit Is Down And Audience Is Up
The budget shortfall for fiscal 2018 was $1.3 million, but that’s down from $4.2 million the previous year. At the orchestra’s main venue, Severance Hall, attendance rose by 8%, while audience numbers for summer concerts at Blossom Music Center were up by 28%. — The Plain Dealer (Cleveland)
Prominent UK Musicians Write Letter Urging Canceling Brexit
The letter, published by the Music4EU initiative, describes Brexit as a “significant threat” to the country’s music industry, adding: “Leaving the EU’s customs union, single market, VAT area and regulatory framework (in whole or part) could devastate our global market leadership, and damage our freedom to trade, tour and to promote our artists and our works.” Concerns are also voiced over access to foreign markets and regulation over copyright, before a request to “examine alternative options to maintain our current influence and freedom to trade”. – The Guardian
This Is Why Boston Symphony’s Principal Flutist Is Suing Over Equal Pay
When Elizabeth Rowe launched her lawsuit against the BSO, it was reported that she is paid less than the (male) principal oboist. How much less? More than $66,000. Geoff Edgers does a deep dive into both this case and the larger issue. — The Washington Post
How ‘Baby, It’s Cold Outside’ Helped Spark The Birth Of Modern Islamic Fundamentalism (Seriously)
It was a fateful night circa 1949 in Greeley, Colorado, when Sayyid Qutb — then an Egyptian exchange student, but who went on to become a leader of the Muslim Brotherhood — was scandalized by seeing men and women dance together, with their arms around each other, to this song (he thought it was a little rapey, too), in (worst of all) a church hall. And he drew certain conclusions about America. — Quartz
The 70s Hit That’s Now The Most-Streamed Song Of The 20th Century
Boosted by the new movie Bohemian Rhapsody, the 1975 single and music video surpassed 1.6 billion streams globally, record company Universal Music Group said in a statement. — The Irish Times
Listener Suffers Cardiac Arrest Mid-Concert; Four Doctors In Audience Save Her
One Sunday last month, the Boston-area chamber ensemble Mistral was about to begin the third work on its program when 89-year-old Ingrid Christiansen slumped over in her front-row seat. Zoë Madonna reports on what happened next. (She didn’t want to go to the hospital, she wanted to hear the concert.) — The Boston Globe
Is A Culture’s Music A Human Right?
When refugees flee, or when groups migrate en masse, they (at least try to) take their music with them. But the modern world isn’t kind to public performances of music. Some musicians say that “music, song and dance are vital areas of empowerment, they are part of the foundation of personhood, and should be included among internationally recognised human rights.” – Le Monde
Is Russia Engaging In A ‘Covert War’ Against Its Own Youth, And Their Favorite Musicians?
Well, possibly. For instance, rapper Husky has had recent concerts cancelled by the government – and when he performed outside for his audience, he was arrested and convicted. An electronica group whose concerts were also cancelled says, “The order to exert pressure on us is coming from Moscow.” – BBC
Yes, Anna Netrebko Is Extra, And That’s Why We Love Her
The soprano gives a new meaning to diva. Even when her Carnegie Hall debut gets pushed back, oh, 12 years, that’s fine – she “has an Instagram account much like the interior of a very rich, very well traveled, possibly colorblind teenager’s school locker. … She embodies an excess that lies at the molten core of opera, and which spills into the images she unloads online.” – The New York Times