The older we get, the more we like to reflect on the importance of “life experience,” and how the passage of time can give human beings an expertise in their chosen field that raw talent never can. But how important is experience, really? After all, talented athletes now begin their professional careers as teenagers, and don’t appear to suffer from a lack of life experience. Could the same be true in politics, music, or art? Is it possible that all the talk of seasoning and maturation is nothing more than our fear of those younger than us?
Tag: 05.10.06
Spacey & Old Vic Soldier On With New Season
Kevin Spacey, who has come under fire from the London press recently for his management of the city’s struggling Old Vic, has unveiled a new season that he hopes will get the critics (and the public) back on his side and into his theatre. “After the critical bruising the theatre’s recent output has received, the forthcoming productions include some obvious crowd-pleasers… But the programme does include some more adventurous choices.”
Barenboim To La Scala? Rumor Mill Says Yes
Several European newspapers are reporting that opera insiders expect conductor Daniel Barenboim to shortly be named music director at Italy’s famed La Scala opera house, succeeding Riccardo Muti. Barenboim will wrap up his tenure as music director of the Chicago Symphony next month. “Ironically, Muti, 64, who resigned from La Scala in April 2005 after acrimonious relations with orchestra members, is considered one of the leading candidates for Barenboim’s Chicago post.”
The Best Composers You’ve Never Heard Of
Contrary to the belief of some, there are plenty of top-notch composers hard at work around the world. But you probably haven’t heard of most of them, because there’s a lot more to becoming famous than just being good at what you do. The funny thing is, though, that composers who achieve fame in America are frequently unknown in the UK, or continental Europe, and vice versa. How can that happen, with the music world being as small as it is? Well, it’s complicated…