When Canada’s Conservative Party took over the leading role in national government last year, the country’s arts leaders were assured that the change would not mean a wholesale gutting of Canada’s cultural subsidies. But the Tory budget for 2007-08 reflects a largely indifferent attitude towards the arts.
Tag: 03.21.07
Art Trapped In Collapsed Museum
When the roof collapsed at Alberta’s Prairie Art Museum earlier this week, museum officials thanked their lucky stars that no one was hurt. But now, attention has shifted to rescuing the 500 pieces of art that remain in the damaged gallery, which is covered in snow and ice and remains unsafe even for interior inspection.
Rescued Bacon Paintings To Be Auctioned
“Paintings by Francis Bacon and items belonging to the artist that were rescued from being thrown away about 30 years ago are to be sold at auction… Auctioneers say the sale of items including photographs, diaries and letters is a first, and could earn much more than its £50,000 estimate.”
Dame Kiri Wins Flying Underwear Case
“Opera star Dame Kiri Te Kanawa has won a court case in Australia after she cancelled a 2005 tour because of fears she would be bombarded with underwear. The 63-year-old singer cancelled shows with Australian rock star John Farnham after seeing a concert DVD where he caught underwear thrown by fans. The concert promoter sued for A$2m (£815,000), claiming it had lost money on publicity costs and ticket sales. A judge rejected the claim saying no contract had been finalised.”
Ernst Haefliger, 87
“Ernst Haefliger, a Swiss tenor who was most renowned as an interpreter of German art song and oratorio roles, died on Saturday in Davos, Switzerland, where he maintained a second home. He was 87 and lived in Vienna… Mr. Haefliger was a graceful singer with a flexible, lyrical voice that served him well in recitals — particularly in Schubert lieder — and made him an ideal Evangelist in Bach’s St. Matthew Passion.”
This American Cable TV Show
Over the last decade, This American Life has been public radio’s biggest success story, building a fiercely loyal audience made up largely of listeners who do not fit public radio’s usual demographic (which is to say, most of them aren’t baby boomers.) But when host Ira Glass announced that the TAL staff were at work on a TV version of the program, longtime listeners recoiled. The TV show debuts this week on Showtime, and the radio audience is holding its breath.
Manchester Hopes To Spark Festival Rivalry
The English city of Manchester has long yearned for an annual festival that could rival the crowds and prestige drawn by Scotland’s Edinburgh Festival, and this summer, it hopes to get the ball rolling with an inaugural edition. 25 new musical works have been commissioned, and newness will be the theme throughout the three-week festival.
Edinburgh Girds For A Summer Fest Fight
Can Edinburgh and its venerable summer festivals fend off the latest challenge from Manchester’s new International Festival? Don’t assume it’ll be easy. “Manchester is already competing with Edinburgh for media attention. Art critics have already singled out shows as must-see events… The event has hired a major London arts PR agency,” and all this comes as Edinburgh is transitioning to a new director.
New Leadership In Seattle
The Seattle Symphony has named Thomas Philion, the president and CEO of the Eastern Music Festival in North Carolina, as its new president and CEO. Philion replaces Paul Meecham, who resigned last summer amid what many saw as differences with powerful Seattle music director Gerard Schwarz. Schwarz and Philion know each other well – Schwarz is the chief conductor at Eastern Music Festival in the summers.
Pay Cuts In Charlotte
The musicians of the North Carolina-based Charlotte Symphony have agreed to “give up two weeks of work, and forgo most of a pair of raises called for in their contract” in order to help the organization cope with an ongoing deficit problem. “The base salary will fall to $34,770 from this season’s $36,000.”