Europe To Approve Historic Media Merger

“The European Commission is poised to approve a merger between Sony Music and BMG,” according to sources. The approval is something of a surprise, constituting a reversal of the commission’s earlier published position on the merger, which expressed grave concern over the dominance that the merged company would have on the global music trade. The decision to approve the merger could come as early as Friday.

Francis Bacon Triptych Leaving Tehran

“A major triptych by Francis Bacon is about to see the light after languishing for more than 30 years in the store of the Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art. Two Figures Lying on a Bed With Attendants (1968) was bought, having been shown in Europe in 1972, by the wife of the last shah of Iran. It became part of the collection of the Tehran museum, but it is thought to have been on display there only once in 30 years.” The paintings were discovered by the director of the Tate Britain museum while he was vacationing in Tehran, and an exchange of works was worked out to bring the Bacon works to London.

British Royal Portrait To Get First Public Viewing

“One of the greatest English royal portraits of the 16th century is to be shown in public for the first time. Hans Eworth’s painting of Queen Mary I – completed shortly after her marriage to Philip II of Spain on July 25, 1554 – shows her wearing the famous Peregrina pearl, a present from her new husband. Centuries later the same jewel was given by Richard Burton to Elizabeth Taylor.”

Scottish Opera Chorus Gets The Official Axe

That the chorus members of the Scottish Opera are about to lose their jobs has been common knowledge for weeks, ever since details of the Scottish Executive’s plan to “save” the company hit the press. But the chorus hadn’t had their fears officially confirmed until last night, when their chorus master informed them, 24 minutes before a performance, that they were all officially being laid off. The chorus has offered singing protests outside the company’s hall before and after concerts lately, and the petition they are circulating in an effort to reverse the Executive’s decision sports the signature of Scottish Opera’s own chief executive.