Category: music

“We were like, how do we do this so that we don’t let the audience off the hook — that this is the land where this happened?” says Yuval Sharon. “Los Angeles State Historic Park feels like a central character in ‘Sweet Land.’” – Los Angeles Times

“Mahraganat music, fast and loud, soared in popularity following Egypt’s 2011 Arab Spring revolts, which toppled the country’s longtime autocratic leader Hosni Mubarak, who died last month. The music provided an outlet for poor Egyptians frustrated by political turmoil, growing repression, a declining economy, high unemployment and other woes. … [But] since February, clubs, hotels, music venues and even Nile cruise boats have been ordered not to book mahraganat musicians, unless they want to face stiff fines and be taken to court.” – The Washington Post

As much as it sounds like something out of Isaac Asimov, we have to say it: we can’t surrender our discernment to the computers. What we need now — what will make our social media feeds and our national discourse saner — is not better artificial intelligence but more actual intelligence. We don’t need better algorithms; we need deeper wisdom. We’re not getting that from Facebook. – Dallas Morning News

The quote is what composer Jeanine Tesori told bass Ken Kellogg about taking his role (the young man’s father, a police officer himself) in Blue, which Tesori wrote with librettist Tazewell Thompson for Glimmerglass Opera and Washington National Opera. Matthew Guerrieri meets Tesori, Thompson, and Kellogg at a rehearsal. – The Washington Post

“I know of numerous composers who suffer from tinnitus — that ringing or other sound in the ears which never shuts off. And even violinists tend to end up with hearing damage in the left ear, since that is the one closest to the sound of the instrument. It is, of course, the sounds we don’t make ourselves that we are most disturbed by. Noise from neighbours can be fatal. It is not unknown for disputes to end in murder or suicide.”   – Irish Times

“[The company] said its investigator interviewed 44 people, yielding 10 [credible] allegations of inappropriate conduct between 1986 … [and] 2019.” The law firm hired by the company also found “no evidence that L.A. Opera ever ignored, failed to address, or covered up sexual harassment complaints.” – Los Angeles Times

As the building approaches its 50th birthday, in 2023, the interventions are necessary. While its architect, Jorn Utzon, is now widely recognized as a visionary and his creation is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the hall’s construction was troubled, and certain problems have never been solved. Years of testing have produced a new plan for the concert hall’s acoustics — as well as for more basic matters. – The New York Times

Postponing the massive festival series until October is a huge endeavor involving hundreds of artists and their representatives, as well as hundreds of contractors and vendors and tens of thousands of employees. Artists are frequenting touring during the fall months and while organizers aren’t likely to get all the performers to agree to move, sources say that if enough of the big headline acts then the festival can be moved. – Billboard

“‘Out of an abundance of caution, the New World Symphony felt it was prudent for Cristian Măcelaru not to conduct the concert [Saturday] night after learning of his recent travels to Japan which is designated at level two re the coronavirus by the CDC,’ the orchestra, said in a statement released by a spokeswoman.” This despite the fact that Măcelaru is not ill and has tested negative for the virus. – South Florida Classical Review