Tag: 03.08.05

What Comissiona Meant To Baltimore

Conductor Sergiu Commisiona was music director of the Baltimore Symphony beginning in 1968. “Without Comissiona’s long, eventful tenure – he served until 1985, when he was named conductor laureate – I doubt many people beyond the Baltimore Beltway would know there was an orchestra in the city, let alone such an important one.”

Baltimore Bid To Help Schools With Giant Crabs

Baltimore city officials have a plan to raise money for schools. Art. Giant fibreglass crabs. “The goal is to put 200 of the sculptures around town — and to raise $1 million from businesses, foundations and individuals for a city-sponsored campaign to make physical improvements in school facilities, including money raised from an auction of the sculptures after they have been on display through the spring and summer.”

The Science Of Saving The New (Art)

Restoration of old artworks has long been a refined science. But saving new artworks is getting to be a bigger headache. “Modern works crumble, get moldy or disintegrate as restorers try to keep them from falling apart. Thoughtlessness, new materials and unusual ways to work with them make sculptures, paintings and installations appear old or cause them to decay even before their creators have suffered the same fate.”

Nowegian Hotel Eager To Rehang Munch Art

A spokesman for the hotel from which three Munch artworks were stolen last weekend says they are eager to get the work back and We will continue to hang art on the walls. “We haven’t considered changing our product.” The Refsnes Gods is an exclusive hotel, dating from the 1770s and known for its art, its gourmet kitchen and wine tasting seminars, and its location on the Oslo Fjord.

Muti Speaks out On La Scala Strife

Riccardo Muti speaks out about the labor strife that has thrown La Scala into chaos. “Today, I am accused of not wishing to be just musical director, but artistic director as well, and perhaps also superintendent, or even of influencing the candidature for the next mayor. I would have to smile, if the spectacle were not so depressing. However, I was prompted by the serious concern of many people who with me perceived the slow but inexorable decline of La Scala’s artistic programme, in stark contrast to the improvement in the quality of artistic production. At a certain point, I decided to protest to the board, and to the mayor, about a situation that was threatening La Scala’s image, and before which I felt impotent.”

Arrests In Munch Theft

Nine arrests have been made in Oslo in the weekend theft of three Edvard Munch artworks. “A car chase ended when a police vehicle smashed into a vehicle in which the suspects were fleeing. The artworks were apparently found in a building in Oslo’s Kampen neighborhood, less than a mile from the Munch Museum, from which armed robbers took one of the two painted versions of “The Scream” – the other is in the National Gallery of Norway – and another Munch masterpiece, “Madonna,” on Aug. 22.”

Heppner – Looking For Signs Of Tenor Trouble

A little over a year ago, tenor Ben Heppner had to shorten two recitals when he experiences vocal problems. “Ever since, the burly Canadian tenor has had to contend not just with demands of the music at hand, but with the public memory of those unfortunate, exceptional evenings. Two wretched nights in a 17-year international career is not much, but it’s enough to sharpen everyone’s ears for the next sign of trouble.”

Royal Ballet Offers New Outreach Programs In Land Deal

The Royal Ballet and the mayor of London have struck a deal that will expand the company school’s programs for minorities and allow the school to renovate its school buildings. “The mayor had previously been criticised at City Hall by members who accused him of waging “class war” against the ballet school. Its proportion of minority pupils is higher than the national average, but falls below the proportion of minorities in London.”