Tag: 07.09.04

Report: Why Americans Don’t Read

A National Endowment for the Arts report documents the decline of reading in America. “The NEA, like many other observers of trends, blames technology. In 1990 consumers spent 6 percent of their leisure spending on audio, video, computers and software. Now, according to the report, those items account for 24 percent of recreational spending. Book-buying hasn’t done that badly, standing at 5.7 percent in 1990 and 5.6 percent in 2002.”

US House Rejects Limiting Patriot Act Library Searches

The US House of Representatives has defeated a measure that would have limited the Patriot Act. “On a vote of 210 to 210 — a roll call that GOP leaders extended for more than 20 minutes to sway dissident Republicans — the House rejected an amendment that would have limited the Patriot Act by preventing the Justice Department from searching library and bookstore records to probe individuals’ reading habits.”

Legendary Tosca To Close

A legendary Royal Opera House production of Tosca is finally seeing its final curtain. “The production was first staged 40 years ago in 1964, starring the legendary Maria Callas as Tosca and Tito Gobbi as the police chief Scarpia. Directed by Franco Zeffirelli, it has returned to Covent Garden year on year and been staged more than 230 times.”

Diana Museum To Close?

The Eral Spencer has denied reports that the museum dedicated to his sister, Diana, Princess of Wales, will close because of declining visitor numbers. “Last year, an estimated 80,000 people turned up to visit the tribute. Accounts in 2003 showed the 450-acre Althorp estate had made a loss for the past three years. It is said to need 120,000 visitors annually to break even.”

Road Show Opera – But Why?

Wagner at Glastonbury, Boheme in Trafalgar Square… why are English opera companies hitting the road? “It does not matter whether anyone was in fact converted to opera by the Glastonbury Valkyrie, Wednesday’s Bohème, or any of the educational programmes that have become de rigueur. No, what counts is that opera is seen to be reaching out to the unconverted, is seen to have outgrown its image as a bastion of privilege, is seen to be democratical ly accountable, however token the gesture.”