Category: music

“Having an accurate real time snapshop of key data streams is all about helping inform people’s decision making. If you know what drives engagement you can maximize the value of your fan base. Artists could say ‘we’re getting pirated here, let’s do something about it’, or ‘we’re popular here, let’s play a show’.”

“Only three Italian opera houses are currently able to pay their bills within two months.”

“Even as publications such as Billboard lamented the lowest weekly music sales recorded since the dawn of Soundscan tracking technology in 1991 this past summer, a barrage of high-concept marketing campaigns unleashed in support of some of the year’s biggest albums demonstrated that people are still willing to invest a great deal of time, energy, creativity and (in some cases) money in the increasingly futile pursuit of huge chart returns.”

It’s billed as “the world’s only classical music organization for individuals with mental illness and the people who support them.”

“He gained notoriety as early as the 1950s in Detroit for his prescient experiments with what would come to be known as “world music,” grafting exotic instruments like the Egyptian arghul and the melodic contours and rhythms of Africa and the Middle and Far East onto the trunk of hard-swinging modern jazz.”

The maestro, who turns 89 next spring, has suffered a number of health problems in recent years.

“Increased performances and audience numbers together with a 71% increase in income from sponsorship and donations gave English National Opera a 12% boost in total income to just over £40 million in the year to the end of March.”

The Glyndebourne Festival has long been the standard-bearer, but a couple of relative upstarts may be eclipsing it.

“Austerity is out. In its place: a four-month festival of Benjamin Britten’s music, Bach cantatas every Monday and a series celebrating the 12 nights of Christmas.”

“The financially strapped MSO is trying to pay off a $2 million debt and stabilize cash flow as it aims to keep its doors open while planning for a balanced budget for the 2014-’15 season.”