Category: music

“Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra musicians’ contract negotiations remain stalled and another week of concerts has been canceled after a Saturday deadline passed with no resolution.”

“Peter Wright, President of the American Federation of Musicians Local 444, says the administration has only made one offer in seven months of negotiations. … Martin Connor, Chair-elect of the symphony association, says they sent the musicians a letter on Monday saying they’re ready to go back to the table ‘anytime they’re ready to negotiate’.”

“The ad shows an open condom wrapper next to the words ‘Don Giovanni. Coming Soon.’ Did you catch the double entendre? The ad campaign has had classical-music fans around the world talking and blogging.”

“Ticket sales and performance fees from CSO concerts cover only about half the cost of putting them on. Salaries and the cost of providing benefits for top musicians are rising while revenues remain flat. And the CSO is burdened with more debt than any other major symphony in the country, in large part thanks to a $110 million renovation of Symphony Center, completed in 1997.”

On a social media meetup, of course.

“If a pig on screen must seem to sing along with a performer onstage, as in her production of another Knussen-Sendak collaboration, “Higglety Pigglety Pop!,” Ms. Jones can spontaneously adjust the pig’s appearance along with the music. If the singer holds a line a bit longer one night, or emphasizes a word in a new way, the pig can respond accordingly.”

Recording and concert sales chart the changing realities of the music industry.

“I think in the long run, [streaming] will be the way people consume music — classical music and other music. And if I look at my crystal ball, I would say that in five years, 50 percent of our business will be in all kinds of streaming.”