An appropriations committee in the Republican-dominated U.S. House of Representatives has voted to slash public television funding immediately, eliminate all federal funds for PBS’s transition to digital broadcasting, and to zero out all PBS funding by 2009. The plan, which is unlikely to get through Congress in its current form, is similar to past Republican efforts to eliminate subsidies for public broadcasting.
Tag: 06.15.06
Binging On Blue-Chips At Basel
This year’s Basel Art Fair is crawling with high-end dealers and prominent collectors from around the world, all intent on snapping up the hottest pieces on view. “Many felt the offerings were more predictable than in past years, making the fair a venue for acquiring blue-chip artists rather than discovering new talent… Few buyers seemed surprised by the high prices, but many marveled at the diversity of today’s players.”
The Mother Of All Book Tours
Most authors wouldn’t extend the length of the average book tour for anything, but J.A. Konrath can’t get enough of the road, apparently. With the aid of an in-car GPS device that allows him to locate bookstores not on his official itinerary, Konrath visited 95 more stores than his publisher asked him to on his last tour. “His ability to use the technology to find more places to promote his book impressed his publisher enough that this summer, Hyperion is sending Konrath out for a two-month, 500 bookstore tour.”
Is Domingo Getting Ready To Retire?
Placido Domingo has pulled out of three high-profile productions of Wagner next year fuleing speculation he may be ending his singing career. “Yesterday a spokeswoman for the Bavarian State Opera said Domingo had given no reason for his abrupt decision to quit. But she said spending four hours-plus on stage singing Wagner was a challenge for anyone in their mid-60s.”
Milwaukee Revival?
The Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra, which hasn’t given a concert in over a year for financial reasons, is showing signs of life. The orchestra has appointed a new music director, and resolved a dispute with the musicians’ union, and plans on mounting a 2006-07 season. “The MCO is carrying about $9,000 total debt. The board is working on grants and fund raising to pay that off and get the orchestra playing again as soon as next fall.”
All In The Family – Laird Wins Society of Authors Award
Last week Zadie Smith’s novel On Beauty won the £30,000 Orange prize. “Yesterday Utterly Monkey, a lad-lit novel written by her husband, the poet Nick Laird, won the £10,000 Betty Trask award, administered by the Society of Authors.”
Lincoln Center Pulls Out Of Armory Project
Plans to convert New York’s Seventh Regiment Armory into an upscale performance venue hit a snag this week, when Lincoln Center canceled its plans for a production of Tristan und Isolde because of the high cost of preparing the space. “The armory and Drill Hall, its 55,000-square-foot, column-free space, has long been eyed hungrily by performing arts presenters,” and the overall plan to renovate the armory shouldn’t be derailed by the cancellation.
US Book Sales Down For Third Straight Month
US bookstore sales were down ahrply 4.3 percent in April. “The decline was the steepest monthly decline so far this year and marked the third consecutive month that sales were down.”
Toronto Opens Its Opera House
As Toronto’s Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts held its official opening gala last night, the music almost seemed to take a back seat to the whole concept of having an opera house. “For years, Toronto was known around the world as the city that could not get an opera house built.” No more, and the opening went off without any of the usual speeches and bluster – the singing was the thing.
But How Does It Sound?
“The hall sounded like a winner. It’s got a very attractive resonance, flattering to all parts of the orchestra and especially to voices on stage. The sound is warm and a bit contained, but without dryness. It is clear enough to expose every section of the orchestra (a challenging asset), and to give maximum transparency to sung or spoken text.”