“Language bullying – or prescriptivism, as it’s more politely called – is conservative in the worst sense. It advances a stuffy and old-fashioned view of language, the rules of which it considers set by supposed experts, such as the authors of grammar books, rather than common usage. It is deeply anti-populist and snobby, not to mention just plain wrong and cranky. Most ‘rules’ cited by bullies are highly suspect.”
Tag: 03.26.03
Chung To Leave Rome Orchestra
Conductor Myung-Whun Chung has decided to leave as principal conductor of Rome’s Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia. “News reports said Chung had a tense relationship with chairman Luciano Berio. The orchestra said in a statement that Chung’s decision not to renew his contract had been made ‘in complete harmony’ with the orchestra, adding that Berio was ‘deeply grateful to Maestro Chung for the excellent work he is carrying out’.”
Nice Timing
On the same day that Colorado arts advocates had scheduled a special day of lobbying on behalf of their profession, the joint budget committee the Colorado legislature voted to completely eliminate public funding for the arts. If the plan passes in the full legislature, Colorado would join Oregon and New Jersey in becoming the only states to zero out cultural funding. (None of those states has yet finalized its decision to kill the funding.) Colorado already ranks dead last in the nation in per capita arts spending. The proposed cuts would eliminate about $1.5 million in arts spending.
‘Lost’ Goyas To Be Auctioned
Two paintings discovered in the home of a wealthy Madrid family have been certified by Spanish art experts as original Goyas, and will be put up for auction shortly. “The auction house admitted it was puzzled there was no record of the paintings but suggested the reason could be because they formed part of a religious triptych – three panels usually hinged together.” The works are expected to bring up to 5 million euros ($5.36 million).
Russian Prosecutor Threatens Culture Minister Over Plan To Return Art
The Russian Prosecutor’s office has informed the Russian Culture Minister that he will face criminal charges if he goes ahead with a plan to return an art collection stolen from Germany after World War II. “The prosecutor’s office, which has been investigating the matter over the past few weeks, said the Culture Ministry does not have the authority to decide to hand over the 362 drawings and two paintings that once belonged to the Bremen Kunsthalle.”
How Do You Make The Arts Work On TV?
“There is a recognition that the arts, especially on BBC1, have been underserved. Accordingly, the holy grail for the BBC seems to be programmes that bring in a mass audience while simultaneously appealing to aficionados.” But how to accomplish it? “It means doing more and doing it bolder; it means resting tired formats, and indeed tired faces. Those involved in the live arts would attest to the fact that if you want to make an impact, if you want to transport and transform people, then you have to take real risks. And that’s what art is all about.”
Keepin’ It Real – A Good Time For Documentaries?
Traditionally, documentaries have been small business. But will Michael Moore’s success at the Oscars, turn things around? According to one theory, “the studios are making more and more popcorn, merchandisable films – package films with no core. But there’s an audience who want to see movies about the real world who only get the opportunity to do that when they see documentaries. In theory, then, this ought to be a golden moment for documentary makers in the US.”
Independent Streak? Mason’s New Face On The Royal Ballet
Monica Mason, the Royal Ballet’s new director, has a tough job, no matter how she does it. “A director has to juggle the old or ‘heritage’ repertoire with the new; maintain the 20th-century classics as well as the 19th-century ones; import foreign successes and support indigenous efforts; and of course share out space between Ashton and MacMillan. No matter how the portions are carved out, many people in many places will be seriously displeased. Mason looks likely to be the safe consolidator, the steadying hand after the squalls of the Stretton regime. After seeking to blow new air into the Royal Ballet by appointing Stretton, the ROH Board then did a frightened U-turn by scurrying back to the old guard with Mason.”
Broadway Box Office Steady During The War
During the 1991 Gulf War, business on Broadway faltered as people stayed home. That hasn’t happened so far with the Iraq war. Last week “business climbed primarily for musicals, with two of the most popular, ‘Hairspray’ and ‘The Lion King,’ selling out and grossing over $1 million each. There were sturdy ticket sales for such shows as ‘The Producers,’ ‘Mamma Mia!’ and ‘Chicago’. Although overall ticket sales were off from a year ago, $12.9 million compared to $14.2 million in 2002, there were more shows playing last year – 31 shows compared to 27 productions last week.”
Screen Play
The Royal Opera House will set up screens around the country this summer and broadcast performances out on the streets. “Productions by the Royal Opera and the Royal Ballet will be beamed to outside screens in Sheffield, Liverpool, Gateshead, Belfast and London’s Canary Wharf. It is part of an initiative to reach people who would not normally watch ballet or opera.”