“More and more top-tier classical soloists who are not new-music specialists seem to be playing the work of living composers. ‘There is something magic about having in your hands this whole piece that nobody has heard. It’s challenging when you have never played a piece by a composer to learn how it fits under your fingers. I think it would be the same if we suddenly had a new Beethoven sonata because we would not be used to it’.”
Tag: 12.06.04
Canadian Opera Balances Budget
Thanks to the large sums the Canadian Opera Company has been raising for its new home, the company has managed to balance its budget. “In general, the COC had a highly successful year, taking in significantly more money from private and public fundraising (including a 41-per-cent increase from the Ontario Arts Council), and 13 per cent more at the box office. Average attendance rose to 95 per cent, from 86 per cent the previous year.”
Tenor Attacked
Italian tenor Giuseppe di Stefano, 83, is being treated in intensive care in Kenya after being attacked by unknown assailants last week.
Deller Wins Turner Prize
Jeremy Deller wins this year’s Turner Prize with his video “Memory Bucket, a documentary exploring Crawford, Texas, and the site of the Branch Davidian siege in Waco. Video art dominated the 2004 shortlist, with Kutlug Ataman, Langlands & Bell and Yinka Shonibare also nominated.”
Turner Winner A Popular Pick
“The 38-year-old Londoner (Jeremy Deller), who describes himself as ‘not a technically capable person’, is almost unnaturally well-liked both by the art world and the general public. After the shockers of previous years – unmade beds, elephant dung and copulating sex dolls – Deller’s most startling revelation was that Laura Bush likes a deep fried jalapeno chilli with her burger.”
Art Basel Hope To Turn Profit In Third Year
Art Basel Miami Beach has yet to turn a profit, even though it has been a hit in the art world. “In budget documents, the Swiss art show listed a $145,000 shortfall from last year, a loss it hopes to erase this weekend with higher exhibitor fees and ticket prices and more dollars from corporate sponsors. ‘This year will be the first year when we see a little black’.”