Tag: 05.16.06

Daring You Not To Have An Opinion

In an era when classical musicians are heavily marketed and encouraged to appeal to the widest possible audience at all times, baritone Matthias Goerne stands out as a performer unwilling to compromise for the sake of pleasing everyone. “You are either fascinated by Goerne or repelled by him. Like Ian Bostridge he polarises opinion. Both singers have pronounced mannerisms, both have highly personal ways of colouring the music, both have a timbre that lends itself to some repertoire but sounds ungainly in the ‘wrong’ music. The bottom line is: the German baritone, like his English tenor counterpart, does not allow you to remain indifferent.”

Report: Tough For Minority Writers In Hollywood

An early version of a report on who’s getting work writing in Hollywood is out, and it doesn’t look good for minority writers. “The full 2006-07 “Hollywood Writers Report” is set to be released in September, but the early results suggest that women and minorities may find it even harder to get work in the TV industry now that the urban- oriented UPN and WB networks have merged into the CW network.”

Tony Awards Skew Purple

This year’s Tony Award nominations scored a few surprises. “The musical The Drowsy Chaperone earned the most Tony nominations on Tuesday when it garnered 13, but the biggest surprise was the 11 earned by The Color Purple, the musical adaptation of Alice Walker’s novel that has earned tepid praise but has been well-attended.”

Idolotry – Broadway’s New Farm Team?

” ‘American Idol’ has absolutely become a big deal here in terms of finding new talent. Watching this show has become another way to locate incredibly talented people — it’s like a televised open call. I watch it, and certain people on our staff have to watch it. Our inside joke is we root for our favorites to lose so that they can become available to us…”

Failing, Hollywood Style

In Hollywood, success comes with the most public of accolades, and the richest of financial rewards. So it stands to reason that failure on the Tinseltown stage would be an equally dramatic event. “Hollywood is so enamored by success that few people can cope with the flop sweat of failure… After a fall, some people flee the city, seeking refuge. Others stay inside, the doors closed and lights dim. After all, who wants to work the room when your friends, not to mention your enemies, can barely disguise their glee at seeing you fall on your face?”

Chicago Lyric In The Black Yet Again

“Lyric Opera of Chicago posted a surplus for its third consecutive season and for the 18th time in the last 19 campaigns. According to preliminary results announced at its annual meeting Monday, Lyric had a surplus of $140,000 on a budget of $49.2 million last season… Lyric officials also reported that more than 277,000 tickets were sold — or 95 percent of Civic Opera House capacity — in the 83-performance season of 2005-06, bringing in $27.2 million at the box office.”

Turner Shortlist Announced

The shortlist for the always-controversial Turner Prize has been announced in the UK. Sculptor Rebecca Warren (known for using twigs and bits of fluff in her work,) photographer Phil Collins, mixed-media artist Mark Titchner, and painter Tomma Abts will vie for the £40,000 prize, which will be announced in December, following public viewings of the work of all four finalists.