“The 652-seat opera house, which will reopen September 21, was closed in 2007 to overhaul the heating and electricity systems and refurbish technical warehousing at an overall cost of 13 million euros (18 million dollars). Built essentially of wood, it was inaugurated in 1770 for the wedding of then-to-be King Louis XVI.”
Tag: 06.18.09
How We Will See Movies In The Future
“Individual films will be made available in multiple ways, either consecutively or all at the same time. (Just because a film is available free on SnagFilms or Hulu, it doesn’t follow that no one wants the convenience of renting it from iTunes or Amazon.) In fact, the best sites here accept Internet permeability as a given, and operate on the principle that a rising tide lifts all boats.
Canada’s National Archives Stops Buying Paper Books (At Least Temporarily)
“Because we live in a rapidly changing digital context in which more and more material is available through different means than before, and we have a responsibility to ensure that we’re using our money as effectively and efficiently as we can.”
Are University Presses Endangered In The Tough Economy?
“Utah State University Press narrowly escaped the chopping block this year. Eastern Washington University Press is being phased out as that school copes with budget cuts. Even the most prestigious presses are feeling the pinch: Yale University Press reported in March that revenue was down nearly 8 percent, and the State University of New York Press announced five layoffs in December.”
Staff Of Austral;ia Arts Council Walk Off Job In Protest
Last year the Sydney-based Australia Council cut its staff by 20 per cent, from 150 to 122, to meet the Rudd government’s 2 per cent efficiency dividend. “The feedback we’ve had from staff is that since the cuts they’ve been working unsustainable hours and on weekends.”
The Year Everything Changed: 1968? 1989? No, It’s 1959
Fred Kaplan: “Several years ago, it occurred to me that many of my favorite groundbreaking record albums, books, and movies … were all released in 1959. Was this just coincidence, or was it part of a pattern? … The more I looked into it, the more it struck me that 1959 really was a pivotal year – not only in culture but also in politics, society, science, sex: everything.”
Oregon Ballet Theater Exceeds Its Fundraising Goal
“After a furious three-week fundraising effort that included a spectacular gala performance last week, the ballet announced that it has surpassed its $750,000 needed to guarantee that it could continue beyond June 30. By the end of the day Wednesday, the company had raised $853,271.”
More Success: Texas Ballet Theater Is Back In The Black
“With less than two weeks remaining before the end of its current fiscal year, the Texas Ballet Theater has reached its fundraising goal of $2 million dollars – the total that it said was needed over the last six months in order to give the financially strapped company renewed stability as it plans for the upcoming 2009-2010 [season].”
As Economic Stimulus, Germany Funds Renovation Of Richard Wagner’s Mansion
“Germany’s government has pledged €500,000 ($700,000) to renovate the Wahnfried villa that houses the archive of legendary German composer Richard Wagner. The government said Thursday the money to renovate Wagner’s former house in the southern city of Bayreuth would come from an economic stimulus package that earmarks funds for improving infrastructure.”
You Think The Objectification Of Women In American Media Is Bad? It’s Got Nothing On Italy
“On television, the Italian penchant for adorning soundstages with skimpily clad, surgically enhanced showgirls has radically metastasized, spilling over from game shows to all forms of entertainment, including the nightly news. But feminist grumblings only exploded into public debate in recent weeks after reports emerged that [media magnate and Italian president Silvio] Berlusconi … was grooming a stable of TV starlets for the political arena.”