The latest analysis is computer-aided quantitative analysis of the texts. It’s revelatory (in a way), and it adds something to our understanding. But it doesn’t replace our previous close contextual study. – Times Literary Supplement
Tag: 04.17.20
Balcony Tenor Maurizio Marchini Took Time Off When He Saw Army Trucks Taking Away Bodies
After the Italian shutdown, Marchini immediately “went viral” (but in a good, pre-Covid-19 way) when he performed from his balcony on March 13. He didn’t even know it because, he says, “I’m not a social guy.” Then things got grim, and he took time off out of respect to the families. Now he’s back on his balcony singing arias. – Vice
Theatremakers Who Can’t Do Theatre Right Now Are Volunteering For Britain’s National Health Service
Turns out that many actors, writers, and producers were already in theatre – and that balancing the arts and sciences came naturally. Now that it’s all science, and all terrifying, they’re stepping up. One playwright who’s part of a critical care team for those with Covid-19: “I do think that theatre helps you make sense of things, because you can feel very small. … I have just been writing about what it looks like. I’m so overwhelmed; you just have so much emotion at the end of each day, so I’ve been trying to make sense of it.” – The Stage (UK)
The Apocalypse Tapestry May Be Perfect For Our Current Lives
The tapestry, which depicts in 100 medieval panels the Book of Revelations, is a vivid glimpse into how people lived through plague and war. And: “It is remarkable that the tapestry still exists, given that during the French Revolution it was looted, cut into pieces and used as floor mats and blankets for horses.” – The Guardian (UK)
When Will Blockbusters Return To Movie Theatres?
It’s going to be quite some time. Why? “‘New York and Los Angeles are going to take a lot more time [to reopen] than Montana,’ predicts Jeff Bock, a box office analyst with Exhibitor Relations. ‘Nobody is going to open Mulan or Tenet if it’s just submarkets.'” (Sorry, Montana.) – Variety
The 700 (Formerly) Hidden Paintings Of An Inventive Chef
Ficre Ghebreyesus, a chef who combined Eritrean and Ethiopian food, kept a studio where he painted, but didn’t exhibit his work. His widow: “The thing that was cool about Ficre as a chef is that to him it was making art. It’s like the dreaminess of the paintings. There’s something remembered and something invented.” – The New York Times
Live Nation – That Is, Ticketmaster – Is Reconsidering The Policy That Had Everyone Furious
In other words, they weren’t going to issue refunds – but the “everyone” who was furious started to include lawmakers, things changed (to be clear, the company claims the change had been in the work for weeks before a request to the New York attorney general to look into Live Nation’s business practices). Suddenly, refunds will be available for canceled shows, and exchanges for rescheduled shows. – The New York Times
The Halt Of Everything May Speed Up Writers Union Negotiations With Studios
This is not a great time for writers (or anyone else, of course). Before this plot twist, “many were predicting writers would stage their first walkout since 2007, but WGA leaders recently told members they would not seek a strike vote during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has had a devastating effect on Hollywood.” – Los Angeles Times
Climate Change Has Revealed An Ancient Norwegian Mountain Pass, And All Its Artifacts
Mountains were long thought to be impermeable barriers between ancient communities – but this one, with finds ranging from horseshoes and sleds to wool tunics and mittens, is one of many passes revealed by climate change to have been major thoroughfares to other lands. – Vice
When Did Classical Music Get So Darn Loud?
The world got louder, and so did the orchestra. After all, “before the Industrial Revolution, the principal sources of noise were thunder, church bells and cannon fire.” – The New York Times