Where, Oh Where Did My Garment Bag Go?
Famed soprano Renée Fleming apparently left a garment bag containing two valuable custom-designed Gianfranco Ferré gowns in the Westchester County Airport on September 7 as she was waiting to board a plane to Chicago. A reward of $1,000 was offered for their safe return.
Watch Out for Those Treadmills!
Seattle Opera was just in for a little shock when on August 7, the day before the opening of the Wagner Siegfried, lead tenor Alan Woodrow tripped over a gym treadmill and tore a leg muscle. Even with a large leg brace, the singer was barely able to walk, let alone trek around the extensive scenery designed for the production. The company decided to have the cover tenor, Richard Berkeley-Steele act out the part on stage and mouth the words while Woodrow stood by the side and took care of the singing. According to audience members, the duo made a convincing and satisfying presentation.
Newly Appointed NEA Chairman
President Bush has appointed Robert Sidney Martin as the interim chairman for the National Endowment of the Arts. Mr. Martin will, at the same time, retain his position as head of the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Former chairman Bill Ivey has said that he leaves the NEA in good form and he’s glad to have helped it get “back on track.”
The Met Takes In a New Crowd
As coveted as tickets to the Metropolitan Opera House may seem, many opera fans would not have jumped at the chance to grab a seat in the prestigious house on September 5 when the Met hosted the MTV Music Awards. The majestic theater was transformed for the evening to accommodate the performances of such stars as Jennifer Lopez and Britney Spears. Does this mean these singers can include a Metropolitan debut on their résumés?
Haven for Opera Fans Fears Bankruptcy
Unless the company can secure funds in the amount of approximately $100 million to decrease its bank overdraw by the end of the year, Tower Records reportedly will be forced to file for bankruptcy. Sources from within the industry have said that the company will be backed up by major record labels if the founding CEO, Russ Solomon, would return to position that his son Michael currently inhabits. Tower Records maintains that its financial situation is not out of the ordinary and that the company is current with all necessary payments.
Record Sales Down
And the prognosis for commercial record sales of classical music is not good! According to recent studies, “…the market share for classical music continues to drop, from 7% in 1987 to just 2.7%…” and major record labels are reducing their work forces. For the complete article, consult Billboard Magazine or visit www.billboard.com (a subscription-based website).
Opera Attendance Up!
Although audiences do not seem very interested in buying opera recordings, reports by the Opera and Music Theatre Forum indicate that attendance between 1986 and 2000 increased by 25%. These same reports have also shown that audiences have enjoyed new operatic works. The problem that companies are now facing is not the lack of audiences, but rather finding repertoire!
Internet Music Not the Anticipated Goldmine
A research company, Gartner G2 has indicated that the online music market may not be as lucrative as was expected. Since the end of Napster’s free music reign, consumers are not excited about the prospect of having to pay for the once easily downloadable music. The record labels will have to rethink some incentives to access this consumer market.
Congress Smiles on the NEA
Projected budgets for the ‘02 fiscal year include a budget for the NEA of about $115 million, which includes an approximate $10 million increase from the ‘01 fiscal year.
Korean Court Decision Sets Precedent
A Korean Court ordered an online free music provider similar to Napster to pay about $75,000 in reparations to two local record labels to compensate for violated copyright laws. The two companies, World Music Entertainment and Most Best Music sued Internet Empire for about three times that amount for operating a website that allowed sharing of music files and videos. Perhaps a similar fate awaits Napster?
The Best Voice in the Country?
In a poll conducted over the past five months by the Center for Voice Disorders of Wake Forest University, Americans were asked to name the voices they find most appealing. In analyzing the responses, the center has concluded that Americans prefer lower voices with relatively low high-frequency noise. Good news for basses!
James Conlon to Leave Paris Opera
James Conlon has announced that at the conclusion of his contract in July ‘04, he will leave his post as General Music Director of the Paris Opera, a position he has held since 1995. He has thus far conducted 229 performances at the Paris Opera and looks forward to taking on a new challenge.
More help for TMJ-and Snoring!
We’ve had several letters from singers asking for help with TMJ. Singers on the forum have given referrals to chiropractors and other therapists. We found a dentist who specializes in remedies for both TMJ and snoring. He contributed a short paragraph in the September 15, ‘01 issue of the magazine Bottom Line. He was writing specifically about snoring—another singer problem, and suggested that snoring is usually caused by a blockage of the airway from the nose to the lungs and is caused by obesity, an abnormal growth or a serious condition that should be checked out by a doctor. He said that snoring can often be eliminated by wearing a specially fitted dental appliance at night which opens the airway by moving the lower jaw forward. Price tag? $750. If you would like to contact him, his name is Dr. Bassman of Davenport, Iowa, and his practice is devoted to TMJ, pain management and snoring reduction. You might contact him for a referral.
