This isn’t a list for the likes of Marin Alsop, JoAnn Falletta, and Susanna Mälkki, who are already established. You’ve heard of some of these women; you will be hearing more of all of them. (They forgot Karina Canellakis, though.)
Tag: 03.01.16
Bridging The Gulf Between Classical, Opera, And Musicals (Again)
“It’s a simple fact that nowadays, in the Sondheim era, Broadway composers, conductors, and singers are musically better schooled than ever, and at ease in a wider range of idioms. … The classical/showtune connection has reopened, with evidence on display all around us.”
Berlioz Manuscript Of ‘Les Troyens’ Rediscovered After 100 Years
“Considered lost for more than a century, the manuscript of the piano-vocal score for Berlioz’s Les Troyens has just been acquired by the National Library of France. Personally transcribed by the composer, it is the most complete version of the opera known today.” (in French; includes audio)
Brooks: Our Intellectual Life Is Becoming Fragmented, Atomized
“The forces of individualism that are sweeping through so much of society are also leading to the atomization of intellectual life. The odd thing is that it was easier to come to maturity when there were more well-defined philosophical groups.”
Surprise: Scientists Say Thinking In Stereotypes Can Spark Creativity
In terms of both “fluency” (the total number of uses they named for each object) and “originality” (measured by their use of words that were far removed from the object’s obvious purpose), those who assumed the persona of “eccentric poet” scored highest. Those who took on the role of “rigid librarian” scored lowest, while participants who were not given a stereotype placed in the middle.
Can A Democratic Government (Israel) Require Loyalty Oaths Of Artists?
“In her short time as minister, the former army brigadier-general responsible for the military’s media relations has been criticised for her attacks on artists’ freedom of speech, the latest being her proposal to give government funding only to art loyal to Israel.”
Why We Should Retire The Words “Ballet Master”
“Those two words, put together, conjure up the image of a haughty, stern old gentleman in breeches, pounding out musical tempi on the floor with his cane and poking dancers’ bodies into desired positions. Ballet may be a traditional art form that’s proud of its roots, but it’s safe to say that — thankfully — this dusty figure no longer exists.”
Love Drugs: Should We Treat Suffering Caused By Romance The Way We Treat Mental Illness?
The FDA just approved a drug said to increase women’s libidos. Some doctors prescribe Prozac to people who want to lower or suppress their sex drives. It’s not unheard of for women to check themselves into psych wards after a nasty breakup. And there’s an entire ugly history of medical attempts to “cure” homosexuality. How to untangle the ethical knots these issues tie?
Rijksmuseum’s Director Stepping Down To Launch New Private Museum
“The director general of the Rijksmuseum, Wim Pijbes, has decided to leave the Netherlands’ national museum of art and history this summer to run the new Museum Voorlinden, which is nearing completion on the Dutch coast.”
Nine Lucky Authors Blindsided By MacArthur-Style $150K Awards
“The Windham-Campbell prizes were established three years ago with a gift from the late novelist Donald Windham, in memory of his partner Sandy M Campbell, to support the work of nine writers with an unrestricted grant of $150,000. Authors are not told they are in the running for the prize, and most are genuinely surprised when they are informed of their $150,000 win.”