The premier of South Australia has denounced plans to cut the Adelaide Symphony as a “trick” designed to shift the burden of funding orchestras from a national broadcaster (ABC) to state governments, and pledged to work with the federal government to preserve the orchestra in its current state. Meanwhile, the musicians of the ASO offered a protest of their own, performing quartets in an outdoor mall with one of the four players missing, to represent the proposed 25% cut in the orchestra’s personnel.
Tag: 03.17.05
The Banged-Up BSO Asks Levine For Relief
The musicians of the Boston Symphony are reportedly well pleased with James Levine as their new music director, but the maestro’s predilection for over-long programs and extra rehearsals has some players begging for a break. The BSO agreed to several rules changes in order to secure Levine’s services, among them an agreement that there could be more than the traditional 4 rehearsals for a given program. But that extra time on stage has apparently caused several minor injuries already within the orchestra’s ranks, and others are concerned about nagging arm and shoulder pain, as well as simple fatigue. Levine has reportedly been responsive to the musicians’ concerns, and has retooled a couple of programs as a result.
UK To Invest In Arts Leadership
Arts Council England intends to allocate £12 million extra for training for arts leaders. “Our artists and arts institutions have an international reputation for excellence. But we need to make sure the management and leadership of the companies matches it. That’s why we’re investing in skills to help correct this.”
Why Riverdance Rocks
John Rockwell explores the Riverdance phenomenon. “It’s easy to be sniffy about the “Riverdance” experience. I’ve been sniffy myself. But it is what it is, and what it is is Las Vegas-style entertainment. As such it’s far more popular than most dance. Which makes people scornful and envious. They even go so far as to deny that this is dance at all, which is silly. “Riverdance” goes out of its way to demonstrate connections between other forms of heel-and-toe-tapping folk dance, like flamenco and tap. And some of the dancing is pretty spectacular.”
La Scala Musicians Vote To Oust Muti
Musicians and other employees of La Scala have voted overwhelmingly for the resignation of musical director Riccardo Muti, and the entire governing board. “In a day of operatic drama, rumours swept Milan that 64-year-old Muti had agreed to go. But they were denied by theatre officials.”
Can Whitney Make Its Case For Expansion Plan?
The Whitney Museum goes to New York’s Landmarks Preservation Board to get permission to demolish two brownstones for an expansion. But there is resistance. “When we are being asked to demolish a historic building, I think we should be shown that it is really necessary for the programmatic function – not just a design function. The Whitney doesn’t seem to be making a compelling case for the loss.”
Aussie Arts Leaders Blame The Government
If Australia’s museums, galleries, and theatre groups are thinking that the crisis currently threatening to envelop the nation’s symphony orchestras could never happen to them, they’d better think again, according to some arts leaders. The orchestral crisis came about because of “a lack of urgent government action in updating the way major arts companies are funded,” an issue which could potentially affect the entire arts industry.