Russian-American conductor Yakov Kreizberg has been named the next music director of the Monte Carlo Philharmonic, succeeding Marek Janowski. “Kreizberg is music director of the Netherlands Philharmonic and Chamber Orchestra, and principal guest conductor of the Vienna Symphony.” He’ll take the reins of Monte Carlo in 2009.
Tag: 10.23.07
Is No Accent Better Than A Bad One?
Generally, it’s American actors who are known for mangling British accents on stage. But lately, the stages of London have seen a parade of British actors playing American roles, apparently under the impression that “everyone in America sounds as if they’ve stepped off the set of Goodfellas.” And the fact is that plenty of good actors aren’t good with dialects. So why do we continue to ask them to try them on?
UK Director Wades Into America’s Abortion Debate
“A British film-maker is stirring renewed controversy over America’s attitude towards abortion, with a documentary that contains shocking and explicit footage of an advanced stage termination… The film, which has opened in New York and is set for release across 23 US cities, has divided critics, with some hailing it as the documentary of the year, others denouncing it as sensationalist.”
Pretty Good Art, For A Singer
Lately, it seems as if every aging British rock star has taken up painting. And while it’s clear that most of them are serious about their forays into the visual arts, “whether or not these notables would ever grace the walls of such esteemed institutions if it weren’t for their day jobs is questionable.”
Presumably, She Has No Upcoming US Book Tour
Fresh off her Nobel Prize win, 88-year-old author Doris Lessing is courting controversy, telling a Spanish newspaper that the 9/11 attacks were not as awful as Americans claim, and were dwarfed by the IRA’s campaign of terrorist attacks in England. Lessing also said that Americans are “a very naive people, or they pretend to be,” and called President Bush a “world calamity.”
Opera Atelier Taps COC Exec For GM Post
“Opera Atelier, the Toronto company that presents period performances of Baroque opera, ballet and drama, announced today that Jane Hargraft, the former director of development at Canadian Opera Company, has been named as its new general manager.”
Dancing Through Parkinson’s
The Mark Morris Dance Center offers weekly classes for people with Parkinson’s, a chronic and progressive brain disorder. “When members of the class see us in performance, they see that they’ve learned some of the same movements. That gives them a sense of empowerment and a sense of community.”
Hollywood Trade Challenge On Runaway Films Rejected
“A trade challenge over Canadian film incentives launched by a group of Hollywood unions has been rejected by U.S. trade officials. The Hollywood lobby group had hoped to launch trade action against Canadian film subsidies under World Trade Organization rules, claiming that “runaway production” in foreign jurisdictions is robbing Los Angeles talent of work.”
OiNK! Major UK Music Piracy Site Shut
“The UK-run site has leaked 60 major pre-release albums this year alone, said the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI). A 24-year-old man from Middlesbrough was arrested on Tuesday morning.”
The New Lit Reading Etiquette (Is There Any?)
Literary readings aren’t the staid afairs they might once have been. Now people bring their lunches, talk on their phones, check email…