Independent European recording companies are challenging the EU’s decision to allow a merger of Sony and Bertelsman. “Impala, the body representing 2,500 indie labels, is appealing to prevent what is calls a ‘market imbalance’. Permission for them to merge meant that 80% of the world’s music is owned by just four records companies.”
Tag: 11.03.04
The Producers Consortium
A look at the making of the London production of The Producers shows how the modern musical is built these days. “Huge producer consortiums are now the norm for modern stage musicals. The single, all-powerful producer exerting full artistic and financial control has become exceptionally rare – Cameron Mackintosh being the notable exception. But most big shows, particularly those that transfer internationally, are financed and packaged like films.”
Ten Years Of UK’s Cultural Jackpot
The UK’s national lottery has transformed the cultural landscape in the past ten years. “From large-scale projects such as Cornwall’s Eden Project to much smaller, community-based projects, such as in-school football coaching in primary schools, the lottery has, to date, raised £16bn for good causes.”
Could Arts Lose Lottery Funding?
Sir Christopher Frayling, the chairman of Arts Council England, has warned that the arts could get edged out of National Lottery money in favor of sports. Frayling points to a number of reasons, adding that “ministers were happy being photographed at football matches, but afraid of being seen at any remotely controversial [arts event].”
Scotland: Museum-Going A “Cultural Right?”
Scotland’s museums say schoolchildren should get free transportation to museums as part of students’ “cultural rights.” “Schools have to work within their curriculum but there’s a real richness on their doorstep if it can be accessed properly. You’ve got collections all over the country but they can’t be seen. Kids are entitled to so many swims a year, and they have developed minimum standards of physical education in schools.”
Starbucks, Music Giant?
Starbucks is getting into the music business in a big way, producing and selling CD’s and even making it possible for customers to make their own compilations. The coffee retailer figures to be a player in the recording industry, even cracking the top music charts.
Edmunds Takes On Melbourne Fest
American Kristy Edmunds has taken charge of the next two Melbourne International Arts Festivals. “It’s the first time since 1986 that a foreigner has been given the job, one of the most powerful arts positions in Australia and the region. What Edmunds chooses to include, or exclude, can affect festivals across the country, in New Zealand and Singapore, and, in the long term, artists’ careers. And there’s the more important issue of how it thrills, moves or disappoints the festival goers.”
Picking Up The Broken Pieces
With the Charlotte Symphony’s 7-week strike finally over, the organization is hoping to get back on track quickly, and begin raising the money the CSO will need to stay solvent throughout the five-year contract it just inked with its musicians. CSO president Richard Early says in an interview that the organization’s focus must now be on mending fences with its subscriber base, and reminding the city’s corporate community of the importance of supporting the orchestra.