Valentin Berlinsky has been a member of the Borodin String Quartet since its first concert. “It is rare for a quartet to have an unbroken history of 60 years, unique for the same artist to have been a member throughout. While there have been changes of occupancy in the other three seats over the years, Berlinsky, now a nimble 80-year-old, took part in the quartet’s first public concerts in 1945 (when it was known as the Moscow Conservatoire Quartet) and has been its common thread ever since.”
Tag: 05.18.05
Kurtz Decries New McCarthyism
Artist Steven Kurtz, who has been investigated for bio-terrorism because of his artwork, has condemned the government’s investigation. “There’s no doubt that this is a politically motivated case, to my mind. Look back to the tendencies of the government and the Department of Justice. . . . There’s fanaticism in the air. I think we’re in a very unfortunate moment now in U.S. history. A form of neo-McCarthyism has made a comeback. . . . We’re going to see a whole host of politically motivated trials which have nothing to do with crime but everything to do with artistic expression.”
Little Women To Go Dark
Producers told the cast of Little Women the Musical May 17 that the production at Broadway’s Virginia Theatre would close May 22 after 55 previews and 137 performances. There are still plans for a national tour starring Maureen McGovern…
National US Forums To Discuss Common Problems
“Americans for the Arts and the MetLife Foundation have announced a series of 20 national arts forums to take place from coast to coast during the remainder of 2005. The goal of the MetLife Foundation National Arts Forum series is to identify as many major shared issues as possible and, more important, the strategies being developed to tackle them.”
Anti-Commercial Theatre That Isn’t Non-Profit
Seattle’s Capitol Hill Arts Center is a classic non-profit theatre that has chosen not to run as a non-profit. “CHAC, pronounced ‘shack,’ is for-profit, meaning it gets no public and private donations. CHAC survives on ticket sales, building rentals and concessions. Yet CHAC also is anti-commercial and has no intention of using the tools designed to protect nonprofits from having to bow to the bottom line – government grants and fund-raising campaigns.”
Shocker: Kudelka To Leave Canada’s National Ballet
The National Ballet of Canada was shocked Wednesday when artistic director James Kudelka announced he would step down. “I am proud that the National Ballet is now a different company than the one I inherited and has developed its own role in the dance world, rather than emulating others. When I watch the company perform, I know that they are giving a performance that you could not see anywhere else.”
A Repertory Ensemble Company For Tacoma?
Tacoma Actors Guild Theatre, which shut down operations last December, is considering an idea to create an old-style salaried repertory company. “Years ago, acting companies were the foundation for many of the country’s greatest theaters, but they fell out of favor because of the expense of keeping actors on salary.” Under the plan, TAG would cast a company of 12 to 20 actors contracted for one year in January.
Ballet West Dancers Charge Bad Faith By Management
“Ballet West dancers have asked the American Guild of Musical Artists to file unfair labor practice charges against the company with the National Labor Relations Board, alleging management has refused to bargain in good faith.”
Europeans Eye Movie Distribution Over The Web
Culture ministers from across Europe see the internet as a way to improve distribution of European culture and compete against Hollywood. “The fact this discussion has taken place in Cannes this year and the fact all these culture ministers, ISP providers and industry figures have got together to discuss it, shows that using online distribution is imminent.”
Pittsburgh’s New Museums Chief
The new president of Pittsburgh’s Carnegie Museums comes from a corporate background, but boasts of a lifetime spent appreciating and supporting art. His duties will include keeping the bottom line healthy while simultaneously increasing the museums’ community profile and national prestige. “The museums, founded by Andrew Carnegie 110 years ago, are comprised of the Carnegie Museum of Art, Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Carnegie Science Center and The Andy Warhol Museum.”