“Bernard Haitink has accepted the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s invitation to become ‘conductor emeritus,’ a new position and title created especially for him. Haitink, who first conducted the BSO in 1971, has served as principal guest conductor since 1995.”
Tag: 01.09.04
A Balanchine Moment That Never Came
Tobi Tobias continues her survey of New York City Ballet’s Balanchine birthday celebration: “The current production delivers many of the images, but, as has become NYCB custom, without rubato and without their essential perfume. The corps de ballet is neat and lively, practicing exactitude adorned, in the women’s case, with empty smiles. I had been looking forward to my favorite Scotch Symphony moment. Two of the kilts lift the Sylphide high—she seems to be standing on air—and toss her, still vertical, into her ardent suitor’s arms. I recall the exquisitely gentle Diana Adams in that moment. For two unforgettable seconds, she seemed to be not falling but floating—softly, lazily, serenely, swept crosswise by an idle breeze. It didn’t happen last night. They didn’t even attempt it. I wonder if whoever is setting the ballet even knows that moment existed. Or cares.”
Tetreault Named To Lead Ford’s Theatre
Paul Tetreault, a veteran manager of regional theater companies, was named the new producing director at Ford’s Theatre in Washington DC yesterday, succeeding the late Frankie Hewitt, who held the post for 30 years.
Small Screen Clutter
TV screens have become cluttered with information. “Multiple screens have moved quickly into the arts and entertainment. Film and television screens crammed with text and images are everywhere from the Museum of Modern Art to “Access Hollywood.” Once we were couch potatoes, but we are all active viewers now, flipping the remote through channels, flipping our eyes around the screen. Even deciding to ignore the crawl requires an active choice.”
Performing Arts For Sale!
The American Association of Performing Arts Presenters holds its annual meeting in New York. “The conference functions as something of a freewheeling art marketplace where those who program (buyers) and those who perform (sellers) can get to know one another’s work. The principal conduit for all that creative networking is more than 1,000 performances around the city, continuing through Tuesday, when the association’s members scurry back to their artistic homes to program the 2004-5 season and beyond.”
$9 Million To Protect Sydney Opera House
About $9 million in new security measures are being installed at the Sydney Opera House, to protect against terrorism. “NSW premier Bob Carr rejected suggestions the Opera House was the country’s prime terrorism target but added: ‘We live in an era where anything can be considered a target.’ About four million visitors entered the Opera House every year, making it difficult to protect.”
The Death Of The Blockbuster?
The costs of making big blockbuster movies is getting unsustainable. “Typically, the music will be almost incessant and costs several million dollars. The norm for a blockbuster is $US100 million and going up every year. The studios can no longer afford them but must go on making them. More and more they swallow their pride and split costs with a rival studio. Massive German tax shelter money has kept them afloat for the past several years, but is running out.”
A New Generation Of Black Directors Still Struggles
It’s easier now to get films made because of digital technology and falling costs for production. But “African-American directors still find it difficult to get financing for independent black films that don’t feature, say, Will Smith picking a gunfight on a freeway during rush hour. Obtaining theatrical distribution is an even greater challenge.”
Harlem Boys Choir Leaders Under Fire To Resign
An explosive memo concerning leaders of the famed Boys Choir of Harlem and how they handled a case of abuse against one of the choir’s boys, threatens to result in the ouster of the choir’s founder. “The accusations against the Turnbulls have dealt the choir and its academy a painful blow at a time when both are struggling with their finances, as they have on and off for many years. The crisis could signify the end of an era for the group, which has performed from Yankee Stadium to Tokyo, and the beginning of a decidedly shaky future.”
Scottish Opera To Undergo “Fundamental Change”
The chief executive of Scottish Opera says that his company will have to endure “fundamental” changes in size, shape and output” because of funding caps by the government. “One authoritative insider last night suggested that the potential job losses in the ‘difficult transition’ at Scottish Opera could be as much as 80 from its current staff of around 200.”