An opera inspired by the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, debuts in Germany. Called “A Lady Dies,” it is a savage indictment of the news media. – BBC
Tag: 03.12.00
THE HEALING POWER OF MOVIE MUSIC
- Film scores can provide nice background music, enhance the pictures and words on the screen; they can be filled with pop songs that raise the film’s grosses; they can hype the love, the fear, the horror you see unfolding on screen. Can movie music also help us psychologically, by “making the ritual complete, helping us heal through catharsis”? – Ovation 03/12/00 [text and audio]
BBC ARTS – BATTERED, BRUISED AND CRITICIZED
In the past year the BBC’s arts section has been accused of dumbing down, giving up, cutting back and banishing things so far to the edge of the schedule that they have all but fallen off. What to do? Create a new arts initiative – “Arts Zone” is designed to be “the home of arts on terrestrial television”. – The Sunday Times (UK) 03/12/00
WHAT IF I LOSE?
It’s awards season again, and the potential fulfillment of many a childhood dream. Get nominated and everybody loves you. But….what if you lose? – New York Times 03/12/00
BRITAIN’S FAVORITE AUTHOR
Beating out JK Rowling, it’s Roald Dahl, he of Charlie’s Chocolate Factory and the Giant Peach, in a poll for World Book Day. – BBC
FOOTBALL FAN AND ROLLERCOASTER FANATIC
Dmitri Shostakovich was both of these. But a new book adds gasoline to the controversy of whether the Soviet composer was a government stooge or brave artist. – The Observer (UK)
A LIBERALIZING EFFECT
Britain’s Poet Laureate Andrew Motion reflects on the power of poetry. Just because he’s the government poet doesn’t mean he has to be a stooge. – The Guardian
FORGET MY MTV
Digital technology is turning all corners of the entertainment world upside down. Music, radio, books, movies – all are being reborn out of new technologies and new ways of making and getting product to market. – Boston Globe