A missing Van Gogh painting could be in London, researchers say. “The descendents of Belgian doctor Amadeus Cavenaile say Van Gogh painted the portrait after the doctor treated him for syphilis in 1885. His family, some of whom live in the UK, believe the painting was either brought to London or buried in a garden in Antwerp during World War I. If the painting is found, it could net the owner up to £50 million.”
Tag: 06.17.04
Scottish Opera: Architect Of Doom
So who was reposible for the “doomsday scenario” recommendation to disband Scottish Opera? It was former Scottish Arts Council chairman James Boyle. “Mr Boyle, in an interview with The Scotsman earlier this week, had attributed the decision-making on Scottish Opera to civil servants who work as officers for the Scottish Arts Council.”
Does Joyce Really Matter?
James Joyce is more than the author of what many academic types call the greatest novel of the 20th century. He is, or so we have been told for ages, the father of the literary modernist movement. But since most modern writers don’t have a lot of use for modernism these days, is Joyce becoming similarly irrelevant? Authors Jim Lewis and Jeffrey Eugenides have some thoughts on the subject.
Philly Orchestra Extends Eschenbach Contract, Players Respond Unhappily
The Philadelphia Orchestra announces an extension to music director Christophe Eschenbach’s contract through Aug. 31, 2008. “Players of the orchestra responded yesterday with a letter to orchestra chairman Richard L. Smoot stating that they were ‘deeply disappointed and disturbed to receive your announcement… that you had unilaterally determined to bypass the full Board of Directors and had failed to solicit the expertise of Orchestra members in making a decision that will impact the artistic integrity of the Philadelphia Orchestra for years to come’.”
Adding Up The Bad News For Miami Performing Arts Center
“The long-awaited, much-troubled Miami-Dade Performing Arts Center will cost about $411 million — $67 million more than originally planned. And the higher price tag leaves unfunded $27.4 million in phones, security systems, furniture and preopening operating costs. The center also will be 20 months late, with completion set for May 2006.”
Is London The Center Of The Art World?
The opening of two new important venues for contemporary art in London within the space of a couple of weeks not only says something about the optimism of the art market, writes Richard Dorment, but “confirms the truth of the cliché that London has, for the moment, replaced New York as the centre of the art world.”
Dr. Dylan (Now If Only He Could Learn To Sing)
Scotland’s oldest university is awarding Bob Dylan an honorary doctorate. “The University of St Andrews will make Dylan a doctor of music next Wednesday. Dylan has only ever accepted one other honorary degree – from Princeton University in 1970.”
Sony/BMG Merger Would Make No. 1 Company
If a merger of music giants Sony and BMG goes ahead, the combined company will lead the music industry in market share. “Sony BMG would control 25.1% of the global record market – based on 2003 sales data – if they merged their record labels. That would put the joint venture in front of Universal Music, which saw its global share slip from 25.4% to 23.5%, according to figures from trade body the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry.”
Moroccan Novel Wins Dublin Prize
“Moroccan author Tahar Ben Jelloun has won one of the world’s richest literature prizes. Ben Jelloun’s novel, This Blinding Absence of Light, won the 100,000 euro [$120,000] International Impac Dublin Literary Award 2004, on Thursday. The prize is the biggest for a single work of fiction in English.”
Levine Cancels Concerts For Health Reasons
James Levine has canceled a series of concerts in Europe because of a bad back. “Boston Symphony Orchestra management learned of the latest development in Levine’s much-discussed health problems through an article in a German newspaper.”