Laura Miller: “As a book publishing phenomenon, young adult literature entered the decade like a lion. At the beginning of the 2010s, a generation that had grown up obsessed with Harry Potter and other middle-grade fantasy series decided it wasn’t that interested in adult literary fiction, with its often lackadaisical plotting and downbeat endings. YA stood ready to supply them with plenty of action, cliffhangers, supernatural beings, mustache-twirling bad guys, and true love. But now, at decade’s end, YA seems to be eating itself alive.” – Slate
Tag: 12.17.19
At One Of Europe’s Top Ballet Schools, Young Students Are Overworked, Medically Neglected, And Encouraged To Smoke
An Austrian government commission found that, at the ballet academy at the Vienna State Opera, “it is clear that children and adolescents are not sufficiently protected from discrimination, neglect and negative medical effects,” with their training and performance schedules being overloaded and insufficient healthcare provided. And the young students are openly encouraged to smoke in order to stay thin. – Yahoo! (AFP)
Do You Hear The People Singe? Set Of ‘Les Miserables’ Catches Fire During Show
At the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff on Monday night, the performance of the musical had to stop for ten minutes after the actor playing Javert accidentally lit part of the set on fire with his flaming brand. One audience member tweeted, “I thought the fire was part of the show … until all the dead bodies started running off set!” – WhatsOnStage (UK)
America’s Forbidden Composer: Take Two — Listening to Arthur Farwell
“America’s forbidden composer” is Arthur Farwell (1872-1952), leader of the “Indianists” movement in music. Politically, he seems hopelessly incorrect today. But his significance is not merely historical. He composed some of the most original and compelling American piano, choral, and chamber music of the early twentieth century. – Joseph Horowitz