Recent performances by the New York Philharmonic of Stephen Sondheim’s “Sweeney Todd” left audiences cheering. Yet despite a lot of trying, concert organizers were unable to get a recording or public television broadcast out of the deal. Why? “The recording not happening can be chalked up to the general crisis in the industry.” – New York Times
Tag: 07.16.00
PAY-PER LISTEN
This week EMI begins selling music over the internet. As battles over copyright rage, the giant recording company decides to try offering its recordings in downloadable format. – BBC
CANADIAN BARITONE Louis Quilico —
— dies at age 75 after complications from surgery. – CBC
AN ODE TO DIVERSITY
The word “diversity” is repeated as a mantra by mainstream arts groups looking to expand their audiences. A new report in Chicago has some words of advice for arts groups trying diversify. – Chicago Tribune
SQUATTERS’ RIGHTS?
In the 1960s a group of artists took over an abandoned ruined hill town in Italy and over the next 40 years made it into something of an artists colony/tourist attraction. Now the Italian wants to evict the artists and restore the town to a ruin. – The Independent (UK)
“ENTERTAINMENT” BAN
Canadian news and documentary crews say that for the past two years American immigration officers have made it difficult for them to get into the US. Many crews have been denied entry. “Officials in the U.S. say they are enforcing a policy which allows them to bar foreign film crews who want to shoot ‘commercial entertainment’ in the US But Canadians say the policy is being widely used to delay film crews working on ‘information programs.’ ” – CBC
PROUD GRADS OF THE RSC
Movies like the “X-Men” are all about special effects, things being destroyed and shooting. So why do you need Royal Shakespeare Company-trained actors like Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellan for that? “Shakespearean actors need to make a living too; why should the Keanu Reeveses and Tom Cruises of the business grab all the money and the fame? And one can imagine that a Hollywood blockbuster like ”X-Men” gives actors such as McKellen and Stewart a few months to rest their well-trained acting muscles – the equivalent of reading a beach book after a year of classics.” – Boston Globe 07/16/00
A HOME FOR DANCE
Jacob’s Pillow began as a modest showcase for the choreography of modern dance pioneer Ted Shawn. Now it is one of the most intense hotbeds of international dance activity in the world, each summer presenting “ballet to butoh, modern dance to hip-hop. With companies from the United States, France, Japan, Ireland, Africa, Sweden, Brazil, Spain, Canada, and The Netherlands, the festival’s current season is one of its most diverse to date.” – Christian Science Monitor
BALLET THAT’S BIG
The Bolshoi takes America by storm. But this is a different Bolshoi than the one we’ve seen before. “It is a different company now. Each time chooses its own dancers.” – New York Times
CRITICAL PATH
Martin McDonagh seemed to have it all three years ago. Coming from nowhere, suddenly “several of McDonagh’s ferociously comic and unsettling plays” won great reviews and top literary prizes in the US and Europe. But then there was a drunken squabble with Sean Connery at an awards ceremony, “some cranky critical backlash and a few damning interviews” and McDonough retreated. Now he’s back with a new play. – Seattle Times