Category: music

“Who has ever heard of a major arts institution with a $15-million budget, one of the country’s top 10 opera companies, simply throwing in the towel over a deficit of a couple million dollars and not fighting to the end because there is no dignity in that?”

“It’s not just the fame and the pop culture that make opera people suspicious. The conventional wisdom has it that you must be ready to sacrifice everything — friends, family, a personal life — for an opera career.”

“It’s a shocking gender gap among classical music’s soloists and conductors, and talented women are being prevented from having the successful careers they deserve.”

“In response to the article, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra conductor Bramwell Tovey has launched a series of tweets while on vacation in Tuscany, blasting the article as inaccurate, sensationalist, Toronto-centric, plagiarized, and borderline liable.”

“The chancellor will bring in new laws making sure that internet downloads are taxed in the country where they are purchased, meaning web firms such as Amazon and Apple will have to charge the UK’s 20% rate of VAT.”

“Not as many people as we would like in Tunbridge Wells appreciate opera.”

“It’s not so much actively sexist but there is a stereotype, really, of conductors being slightly older men. But hopefully a course like this will get younger women interested. It’s a big opportunity.”

Where have they all gone ? Today’s music scene seems to be all about being “real”, wearing your heart on your sleeve – Adele, Frank Ocean, Plan B, Drake, Elbow, Emeli Sandé et al would all rather “be themselves” on stage. “I’m like you,” they seem to say, “so buy my records.” But this overly cautious stance is akin to Prince Harry’s efforts to be “one of the lads”. Where’s the drama? The style? Have we lost the art of pretentious performance?

Okay, Terry doesn’t sing on the air, but the dramatic mezzo teaches the Fresh Air host about Italian pronunciation, head resonance, placing the voice to project, and the importance of the tongue. (audio)

“Henson, who joined the orchestra in 2007, oversaw the $50 million Orchestra Hall renovation, but became a divisive figure during the bitter, 16-month labor dispute that ended in January.”