Tag: 04.06.00

FRESCO TECHNOLOGY

Using computer re-creations and chemical technology to expose underlayers, after 15 years of arduous restoration a dozen 15th-century wall paintings by Renaissance master Piero della Francesca will be unveiled to the public Friday in the Church of San Francesco in Arezzo, Italy. Twenty years ago such a job would not have been possible. – New York Times

SPOLETO LIVES

The NAACP announced a boycott against South Carolina’s tourism industry earlier this year to try to force the state to stop flying the Confederate flag over its capitol. At first it seemed that the boycott might affect this spring’s Spoleto Festival. But, “no artists or musicians have canceled performances, said Marie Lawson, director of marketing and public relations for Spoleto Festival USA, and ticket sales are doing well.” – MSNBC

TAMING SALOME

After complaints that a poster advertising the Opera Company of Philadelphia’s new production of “Salome” was too revealing, the image has been altered. The company “stapled four (not seven) red chiffon veils over the biblical temptress’s nipples and crotch in the poster put up recently outside the Academy of Music.” – Philadelphia Inquirer

HAVE LIBRETTO, WILL TRAVEL

New operas are sprouting all over the landscape, and prestigious companies are debuting them. But landing more performances after the initial production is still a problem. “Opera companies would rather bask in the glory of a world premiere than revive a work that another house has launched.” Mark-Anthony Turnage’s “The Silver Tassie” is breaking the truism, though. It’s well on its way to becoming part of the international repertory, and already enjoyed successful runs in England and Germany. Plans are underway for stagings in Dallas and Ireland. – The Guardian

VOICES FROM THE PAST

Researchers at Syracuse University are developing a new playback system that will help them finally play and preserve some of opera history’s oldest surviving sound recordings without damaging or destroying them – including one 19th-century wax cylinder believed to be an 1895 recording of opera legend Adelina Patti. – The Age (Melbourne) (AP)

SO YOU WANT TO BE IN PICTURES?

After hiding from the world for all these years, now Salman Rushdie wants to burst into the limelight as an actor. He plays himself in an upcoming made-for-television movie, and hopes “it’s just the first of many dramatic performances he’ll be tackling.” – CBC