“The Milwaukee Chamber Orchestra, founded in 1974, ran into serious financial problems in May 2005, canceled the last two programs of the season and wasn’t heard from again until last June. Now the organization has raised enough money to pay off its old debt. Although the musicians were never paid for the two canceled concerts, many of them will return to play the upcoming program, which calls for a string orchestra of 22.”
Tag: 05.13.07
A Change In UK Arts Funding?
“Last week’s announcement of the gift of a £10m endowment for the Royal Opera House from the Paul Hamlyn Foundation is a symbol of a transformation in arts funding in this country. At last, the big arts organisations are growing up and taking charge of their own affairs. Perhaps, as some now believe, we can look forward to the complete end of state arts in the near future.”
Rowling To Write More Harry Potter?
Over the weekend, news broke that JK Rowling would be writing an eighth Harry Potter book. “But fans shouldn’t get too excited. Instead of a new novel, the writer is apparently considering compiling an encyclopaedia of magic.”
Remembering Rostropovich, The Teacher
Much has been said about Mstislav Rostropovich’s legacy as a conductor and performer since his death last month. But Rostropovich was also one of the most inspirational teachers of his generation, and that side of him is being remembered at cello gatherings around the world.
Writing The Ending Will Be Awfully Tough
The Iraq War, and all of its attending conflict and drama, will soon be heading to a movie theater near you. “With little fanfare, Hollywood has begun chronicling and critiquing the Iraq war even before it has ended… Almost all [of the] upcoming projects reflect the zeitgeist of a nation increasingly opposed to a conflict that has already cost tens of thousands of lives and shows no signs of abating.”
Is Tate Modern Prostituting Itself?
Tate Modern has entered into an extensive partnership with investment bank UBS, under which the museum will showcase works from the bank’s extensive art collection. But as much as Tate Modern may need UBS’s money, doesn’t such a deal indicate a betrayal of the museum’s core mission? “Tate Modern belongs to the British people. Its space cannot be sold, its codes must not be breached simply because the government doesn’t care to support it as it should.”
Chicago Arts Still Mainly Within City Limits
“Despite the sharp rise in the number of non-profit arts groups in Chicago’s sprawling suburbs in the last 15 years, it hasn’t outpaced such growth in the city, according to a recent report. The result: A regional arts scene more concentrated in Chicago than it was in prior decades.”
Cannes Contenders
Even before Cannes officially opens later this week, there is considerable buzz surrounding five films competing for the coveted Palme d’Or…
More CBS Firings Over Racist Rhetoric
The two New York shock jocks suspended last month for a racially charged on-air stunt involving a call to a Chinese restaurant have been fired by CBS Radio. CBS has been at the center of controversy involving envelope-pushing DJs ever since Don Imus slurred a group of African-American women’s basketball players earlier in the spring.
Serb Wins Eurovision Over Ukrainian Drag Queen
This year’s edition of the strange and eclectic Eurovision Song Contest has been won by Serbian singer Marija Serifovic. “She scored 268 points, beating Ukrainian drag queen Verka Serdyuchka into second place. Russia was third, with Turkey fourth and Bulgaria fifth.”