The musicians of the Pittsburgh Symphony will meet today to vote on a contract proposal. “Issues include salaries, pension and personnel,” although details have not been released. The current contract, which has been extended already, expires at the end of this weekend.
Tag: 09.17.08
Orlando GLBT Theatre Fest In Trouble
“Plans for a new gay-and-lesbian theater festival in Orlando have run aground because of accusations that chief organizer” improperly used funds from a charity fundraiser. The fest’s director, who was actually in jail on a parole violation on the night of the fundraiser, is accused of pocketing the money raised for a national AIDS charity, and resigned his post earlier this week.
Conflict Resolution – The Venice Biennale’s Curious Split Personality
“While the Venice Architecture Biennale remains the most anticipated and ambitious design show in the world — not to mention the only one featuring cocktail parties in canal-side palazzi — every edition is marked by a curious split personality.”
Longtime Minnesota Concertmaster Leaves For Academia
Jorja Fleezanis, 56, has been the orchestra’s concertmaster for 20 years. She “played a key role in the orchestra’s history. She was its first woman concertmaster, a promoter of contemporary music and articulate ambassador in the community.”
Pop Tart Operas – None Longer Than 15-Minutes (Hey – They’re A Hit!)
Scottish Opera’s bold (or crazy) idea of staging five brand-new works, each shorter than your average TV sitcom, was such a hit that they’re trying it again this season.
Surprise – Philadelphia Orchestra President Won’t Renew Contract
The widely-liked James Undercofler will depart next summer after three very eventful years – a period which saw the resignation of music director Christoph Eschenbach, the appointment of Charles Dutoit as chief conductor, new ticketing packages and outdoor venues, and a major endowment campaign.
Remembering David Foster Wallace
“The generation of young literary types who were inspired, moved, and entertained by Wallace’s work certainly felt that stomach-level sadness this weekend as news of his death spread. Wallace was the type of mind that should have been pumped until its last drop.”
Plácido Domingo (In The Scary Julian Schnabel Version)
The artist poses shirtless, the tenor wears armor, and Mickey Rourke wields a magic marker: An on-the-scene report from the studio as Schnabel whips up a painting for the 40th anniversary of Domingo’s Met debut.
Opera Australia’s Embattled Music Director Fights Back
Speaking out for the first time on accusations of nepotism, bias and slipping standards, Richard Hickox says “Don’t think that people who criticise are not welcome; they are. But the way they have gone about it – with off-the-record inaccurate allegations – isn’t what I’d call a debate. And then just making more and more allegations, just in the hope that one might stick, it’s not a good way of behaving.” (On casting his wife: “If she wasn’t the best person, it would be the worst possible thing I could do, to offer her a role.”)
Lincoln Center Plans Its 50th Birthday Party
The celebrations – to take place in 2009-10 amid the complex’s ongoing renovation work – will include a John Adams opera, new dances from Mark Morris and New York City Ballet, movie marathons, never-seen telecasts, and a free concert by Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble.