Good Financial News, for a Change
When all the figures from its 2002-2003 season are counted, the Baltimore Opera expects to have a budget surplus of approximately $50,000. General Director Michael Harrison, admits that ticket sales were down slightly, but points out that he has dedicated donors who more than made up for the box office shortfall. The opera company’s budget for last season was $7.5 million.
www.sunspot.net
Swinging Operagoers
Berlin’s Komische Oper, which performs in the smallest of the city’s three opera houses, has devised a scheme to pair off single opera lovers at some of its performances. Upon entering, each person receives a large, stick-on number to wear. Anyone who wishes to contact a fellow operagoer has only to write a note to that person and place it under the corresponding number on a large board in the foyer.
At Kálmán’s “Die Czárdásfuerstin,” attendees enjoyed free beer for all at the intermission, and a “meet your chosen number” singles party after the performance!
Barrett Wisman, New Chairman of IMG Artists
Financier and former concert pianist Barrett Wisman, who has made a major investment in IMG Artists, recently assumed the chairmanship of the management company, which is directed in the United States by Edna Landau and in Europe by Stephen Wright. Wisman expects the company to grow, taking on more artists and, eventually, more staff.
Soprano, Susan Chilcott, dead at age 40
A large crowd consisting of family, friends and fans came together Sept. 16 for the funeral of Susan Chilcott at the Wells Cathedral in Somerset, England.
The singer, who was last seen at Covent Garden as Lisa in Tchaikovsky’s The Queen of Spades, had been fighting breast cancer for some time. She is survived by her husband, David Sigall, and their 4-year-old son, Hughie.
http://news.independent.co.uk
Aging Musicians Retain More Brain Power!
Vanessa Sluming of the University of Liverpool studied the brains of both musicians and non-musicians over the age of 50. Her findings showed conclusively that people who did not play an instrument tended to lose mental acuity as time went on, but those who were engaged in making music retained their abilities as they aged. The results of her study would seem to underscore the “Use it or Lose it” theory.
www.guardian.co.uk
Alice Tully Hall Slated for Renovation
The well-known New York recital hall, which has not been revamped since its opening in 1969, will be receiving a major overhaul. The Tully Foundation is donating $16 million toward the $56 million revamp. The Lincoln Center will have to raise the rest of the money before 2005, when construction is scheduled to begin.
New Conductor Expands Horizons in Delaware
Singers looking for innovative recital ideas could look to David Amado, the new conductor of the Delaware Symphony. Amado, who also leads the St. Louis Symphony, is no stranger to various kinds of music and is not afraid to try some creative programming. To ascertain the taste of average folks in Delaware and play the most appropriate pieces for them, he makes a point of conversing with all types of people in shops and restaurants on a regular basis.
Although his predecessor planned most of this season’s concerts, Amado is looking forward to livening up next season by mixing music with theater and poetry. He will follow up on some of his more inventive presentations with discussions in an informal setting, from which he hopes to obtain further feedback.
British National Theatre Makes a Deal with Broadway
The National Theatre of Great Britain has signed a contract with American producers, Bob Boyett and Bill Haber that will result in bringing some of its London shows to New York.
One of the most popular musical comedies that might be brought over under this agreement is Jerry Springer—The Opera!
Berlin Radio Orchestra Premieres Firsova’s ‘Requiem’
On Sept. 6, Vassily Sinaisky conducted the Berlin Radio Symphony in the first performance of Elena Firsova’s powerful, atonal Requiem, a piece that calls for a hard-working soprano and a full chorus. Written to poems by Anna Akmatova, the piece honors those who were interned in Siberian prison camps for their political views, one of whom was the poet’s own son.
www.boosey.com
http://home.wanadoonl/ovar/firsova.htm
Pittsburgh to host Arts Conference
Pittsburgh, Penn. will host the National Performing Arts Conference from June 8 to 13, 2004. The theme will be “Taking Arts to the Next Stage.”
Five thousand representatives of non-profit arts agencies, including The American Symphony Orchestra League, Chorus America, Dance/USA and Opera America, are expected to attend.
www.pittsburghlive.com
Black Holes Sing Bass
Scientists have discovered that the gasses emitted from some of the black holes found in the universe produce sounds. One note recorded was 57 octaves below middle C!
www.nytimes.com
NEA Gives Grants to Small Orchestras
On Sept. 15, the National Endowment for the Arts announced a new program designed to aid musical ensembles in areas where there are few donors. The NEA plans to award a total of $250,000 to 25 five orchestras in smaller cities in Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, Virginia and California, with the hope that gifts will inspire local donations.
www.washingtonpost.com
New Theater in Erfurt, Germany
The city of Erfurt celebrated the opening of its new theater on Sept. 12 with the world premiere of Peter Aderhold’s opera, Luther, a musical biography of the religious reformer who once studied there. The new work received mixed reviews from the German press, but the theater is an unqualified success.
Next Airline Flight, Keep Your Valuables With You!
In the post-9-11 world, it’s not possible to tell who is going through your checked luggage, airline employees or the government agency set up to screen for weapons. Since claims submitted to airlines for the value of items stolen from checked baggage have soared over the last two years, it is a good idea to put new and desirable items in your carry-on bag. If you read the small print, airlines don’t cover broken electronic items mishandled by airline employees so any recording equipment should definitely stay in your carry-on.
http://www.bpluggage.com/checlug.html
[Web site information changes rapidly, but if you want more information on any of the above items, it may be possible to contact the source for archival articles.]
