Gidon Kremer was such a hot young virtuoso that Herbert von Karajan called him the greatest violinist in the world. But to Kremer, playing the fiddle has always been about a lot more than great musicianship. Music is a political act. – The Guardian
Tag: 11.22.00
PT BARNUM OF ART
In the first half of the 20th Century Chick Austin brought a showman’s touch to American art. “Not only did Austin promote artists like Picasso, Balthus, Mondrian and Dali when they were virtually unknown in the United States, but he also amassed an important collection of masterworks (especially Baroque painting, Dutch still lifes and Poussin) on view at the Atheneum to this day. Alfred Barr, the founding director of the Museum of Modern Art, told Austin: ‘You did things sooner and more brilliantly than any one’.” – New York Observer
CHURCH TRUCE
In the middle of the second day of the court case brought against her by her former manager, singer Charlotte Church settles the breach-of-contract case. The settlement is believed to be around £2 million. – BBC
MUSIC TO THE STUDIO EXECS’ EARS
After reviewing Hollywood’s marketing and advertising practices, the Federal Trade Commission sent a letter to Congress stressing the Constitution’s protection of the entertainment industry and urging voluntary self-regulation by the studios, rather than federally enforced sanctions. “The letter elicited a collective I-told-you-so (and probably a sigh of relief) from Tinseltown types. “We always believed that both the content and the marketing of movies were protected under the First Amendment.” – E! Online 11/22/00
REASONABLE PROTECTIONS
“Citing ‘significant legal limitations’ and ‘substantial and unsettled constitutional questions,’ FTC Chairman Robert Pitofsky concluded that the agency would face considerable difficulties bringing cases against Hollywood under existing federal trade laws.” – Los Angeles Times 11/22/00
IF THE SELLER PROFITS FROM OUR WORK, SO SHOULD WE
Australian artists want a percentage of the sales price when their work is sold at auction. To reinforce the “request” they’ve announced a 12 month moratorium on allowing images of their work to be reproduced in auction catalogues unless the auction house pays a five percent copyright fee. – The Age (Melbourne) 11/22/00
NEW ARTS COMPLEX FOR DALLAS
Dallas unveils plans to build a $250 million performing arts center downtown. “The latest plan calls for a 2000-seat lyric theater for the Dallas Opera and other musical groups, and an 800-seat theater to replace the temporary Dallas Theater Center stage on Flora Street.” – Dallas Morning News 11/22/00
MANHATTAN ON BROADWAY
One of New York’s most venerable non-profit theatres makes a play to take over the deteriorating Biltmore Theatre on Broadway. “The Biltmore would make Manhattan Theater Club productions Tony-eligible, which brings national exposure and a potential boost to ticket sales. The Biltmore will allow the theater club to have an orchestra pit for the first time, and fly space for scenery. – New York Times
THE WHIFF OF FLOP IN THE AIR
A few short months ago, “Seussical” the musical looked like the season’s sure-fire hit on Broadway. But when it opens next week “it arrives a wounded animal, bloodied by brutal out-of-town notices and months of backstage gossip, with the moniker ‘troubled’ clinging to its hide like a tick. It has a new director, set designer and costume designer, and an entirely new physical production. Its book has been substantially revised, and its budget has soared from $8.5 million to $10.5 million.” – New York Post
AN IMPOSSIBLE JOB
Why would anyone want the job of running London’s Royal Opera House? The place has run through five directors in as many years. The board is feisty and meddlesome, and the public isn’t so well disposed towards the company. “What that leaves for the ROH chief executive is little more than shuffling schedules and making sure the floors are swept. Most people who want to run an opera house do so with a view to having some influence on what happens on stage – inserting a fancied singer here, a favourite ballet there.” – The Telegraph (UK)