“What could be more authentic than a complaints choir that pours out its frustrations to a completely impervious audience? As my kvetching grows louder, so does my rage. I storm off to a smattering of applause that can do nothing to smudge the shared sense of catharsis. And, for once, I have the oddest feeling: I have absolutely nothing to complain about.”
Tag: 07.08.08
James Levine To Have Kidney Removed
“Boston Symphony Orchestra music director James Levine will miss the remainder of this summer’s season at Tanglewood to have a kidney removed. His condition, due to a cyst “causing pressure and discomfort,” will require six weeks of recuperation, with Levine hoping to be ready to conduct the BSO’s season opening at Symphony Hall in the fall.”
Poe’s NY Home To Get A Makeover
A major restoration is planned for the Bronx apartment where Edgar Allen Poe lived out his final years. “Work is expected to start in the spring and last a year. The cottage will be closed to the public during the work. The restoration will cost about $250,000.”
Thomas Disch, 68
“Thomas M. Disch, an author, poet and critic who twisted the inherently twisted genre of science fiction in new, disturbing directions, including writing his last book in the voice of God, died on Friday in his Manhattan apartment… His friend Alice K. Turner said Mr. Disch shot himself.”
Authenticity Dustup Nearly Over
“A long legal battle over an Art Deco table owned by Ronald O. Perelman is just now being settled and is awaiting the judge’s final disposition.” The dispute began when Perelman began to suspect that the table was a fake, and escalated when he refused to pay for more art objects sent to him by the dealer who supplied the table.
The Viral Dance Video That Makes You Happy
The hottest thing on YouTube at the moment may be a relatively simple video of a guy dancing, “a big, doughy-looking fellow in shorts and hiking boots performing an arm-swinging, knee-pumping step that could charitably be called goofy… However you interpret it, you can’t watch “Dancing” for very long without feeling a little happier.”
Record-Setting Year For London Theatre
“London’s theatres enjoyed their most successful year on record in 2007, with attendances exceeding 13m for the first time… The Society of London Theatre’s annual report said that box office takings last year rose to almost £470m.”
Balancing Art And Dollars In Pittsburgh
“Christopher Hahn’s promotion from artistic director to general director of the Pittsburgh Opera might appear to be a nod by its board in the direction of artistry, given that he’s had tremendous success re-inventing the opera company’s look and invigorating its casting since arriving here in 2000. [But] it was Hahn’s ability to make difficult decisions with a limited artistic budget that helped secure the promotion.”
Another Leadership Change At Washington Ballet
“The Washington Ballet announced yesterday that it has hired Orlando Ballet Executive Director Russell P. Allen as its new chief administrator… Allen will be the ballet’s fourth top administrator since Artistic Director Septime Webre arrived in 1999.”
Cincinnati Bassist Charged With Spousal Abuse
A bass player with the Cincinnati Symphony has been arrested and charged with beating his wife. Boris Astafiev, who has been with the CSO since 1999, “is accused of pulling his wife’s hair and punching her on the head.”