Category: music

The Scottish Opera is a financial mess. The company maintains that its level of funding from the government is seriously inadequate. The Scottish Arts Council wants to control the opera company’s spending and have a say in its artistic decision. – The Herald (Scotland)

The Beatles’ “Yesterday” has been named by Rolling Stone and MTV as the most popular song since 1963. “The song, which lasts precisely two minutes and four seconds, has been played on the radio seven million times. It is the most broadcast song of the modern era, and has been covered by at least 2,500 other performers with the same sincerity you displayed when you sang it in the shower this morning.” – The Globe & Mail (Canada)

In the middle of the second day of the court case brought against her by her former manager, singer Charlotte Church settles the breach-of-contract case. The settlement is believed to be around £2 million. – BBC

Arthur Sullivan was made famous and very rich by his collaboration with William Gilbert. And the musical plays they wrote are still performed 100 years after Sullivan’s death (the anniversary of which is this week). So why did he die believing he had wasted his life and cursing his partner? – The Times (UK)

Boston’s historic Opera House is crumbling, “and while the designated developer and neighbors argue over loading docks, the roof on the 73-year-old Washington Street landmark will not survive another winter. Why is it so hard to save a theater in this town?” – Boston Globe

This year four recordings have sold 1 million copies in their first week of release. In the previous history of the music industry, only two albums ever generated those kinds of initial sales. “Why the sudden increase of records achieving what not long ago was considered an impossible dream? Part of the answer is the overall growth of the music business, which soared from sales of $7.5 billion in the U.S. in 1990 to $14.5 billion last year, according to the Recording Industry Assn. of America. But mostly it’s marketing.” – Los Angeles Times

“Classical concerts are a free-for-all these days, with no human behavior apparently too shabby for public display. Last week at the Academy of Vocal Arts, a trio behind me reviewed the singers in real time. Part of this orchestras have brought on themselves. In an effort to drum up business, they have stressed informality and accessibility. The come-as-you-are message of the 1990s has been interpreted beyond its intended sartorial directive. It has come to mean behave-as-you-want.” – Philadelphia Inquirer

It’s singer Charlotte Church versus her ex-manager in court, as the manager sues to get a percentage of all her earnings through 2002. – BBC

• “Nearly 40 years after the original John, Paul, George and Ringo began their popularity is such that there are now some 2,000 Beatle tribute bands – lookalikes, soundalikes or just plain wannabelikes – all touting for gigs.” – The Independent (UK)

Robert Spano recently took on directorship of the Atlanta Symphony – a full-time establishment orchestra. When he wants to experiment, be unconventional he goes back to his lab – the Brooklyn Philharmonic. – Atlanta Journal-Constitution