Unscripted Stunt Action at the Met
During the Met’s Feb. 14 opening production of War and Peace, a 21-year-old French actor, Simon Deonarian, fell into the orchestra pit during the finale of this much-anticipated production. The $30 per-day extra insists he got carried away with his role and simply stumbled into the pit. But general manager James Volpe maintains that Deonarian was over-acting and jumped into the pit. Deonarian was able to walk out unhurt, but has since been fired.
Disaster for Arts as Posts Shift at NY Times
John Rockwell, who has held the influential position of editor of the Sunday Arts & Leisure Section of the New York Times for the past four years, is stepping down to take up a post as senior cultural correspondent. The performing arts community is not thrilled with this change, since the Times has indicated its intent to concentrate more on pop culture in the future. The Arts & Leisure section has been known as one of the leading sources for performing-arts commentary.
Lawsuit Resulting from “Life Is Beautiful”
Shirley Verrett filed a lawsuit against BMG Classics because a recording of the duet “Bacarolle” from Les Contes d’Hoffman with Montserrat Cabellé was used in the film Life is Beautiful. Verrett claims she was never compensated, despite the fact that her name appears in the credits at the end of the film. She is suing for $1.25 million in damages.
9/11 “Singing Policeman” Joins Washington Opera’s New “Young” Artist Program
Plácido Domingo has selected 11 singers and two coaches to participate in an intensive program directed by Michele Krisel. The participants will work with world-renowned singers, directors and coaches to guide them in their transition from singer to artist. Participants range from a 21-year-old Harvard government major to a 37-year-old New York City policeman! The policeman is none other than Daniel Rodriguez, who came to public attention by singing “God Bless America” at events nationwide following the September 11 tragedy. Over 250 applicants to the program were considered, along with the 40 finalists from Domingo’s international vocal competition, “Operalia.” The program is being funded by a five-year, $5 million grant from philanthropist Alberto Vilar.
Opera Australia
When Bryn Terfel announced that he was canceling all performances outside of Europe in order to spend more time with his family, Opera Australia found itself in a bind. Terfel was scheduled to star in the multimillion-dollar production of Die Meistersinger next season. Because Terfel is such a box-office draw, the company was confident that it would be able to pull in the audiences to back the production. If it isn’t able to find a suitable replacement with as much audience-appeal as Terfel, it will pull the production.
New Lincoln Center President
Anticipating Board approval on Feb. 28, Reynold Levi will be named President of Lincoln Center. The search committee voted unanimously to elect Levi after the other candidate, Joseph Polisi, president of the Juilliard School, withdrew his candidacy.
Frankenstein Opera Has Its Premiere
The ever-so-popular tale of “Frankenstein” has finally made its way into the opera genre. This new production, Monster, premiered in Glasgow on Feb 28. Unlike the 1931 film starring Boris Karloff, the opera is centered on the original book’s author Mary Shelley and her interactions with Frankenstein. Rather than being a scary creature, Frankenstein is portrayed as an “abandoned child,” as described by composer Sally Beamish. An interesting way to incorporate elements of pop culture into performing arts; maybe the next new opera will be based on Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds.
NEA Grants Should Be Repaid?
Two Republican congressmen have suggested that those who have benefited from National Endowment of the Arts Grants should repay the money. Despite the fact that enacting a payback clause would be difficult, NEA Acting Director Elaine B. Mason looks favorably upon the suggestion, with the intent to look into it further.
Barenboim Denied Entrance to West Bank
Fearing further eruptions of violence, Israelis have been banned from entering dangerous territory for their own safety. Conductor and pianist Daniel Barenboim had been scheduled to play and teach a master class to about 100 students from the Conservatory of Music in the West Bank town of Ramallah. Despite the fact that Barenboim is disappointed that he will not be given a permit to cross into this area, he believes that simply his willingness to go and the Conservatory’s willingness to receive him is already a sign of progress in peace relations.
Tebaldi Detests Modern Stage Directors
In a recent interview with the Rome daily La Repubblica, retired soprano Renata Tebaldi stated: “I detest new productions, either eccentric or stupid, with no connection with what the composers wrote. Poor Verdi and Puccini, they must be turning over in their graves.” Tebaldi recently celebrated her 80th birthday.
Washington Opera Joins Renovation Bandwagon
The Washington Opera plans to spend $2 million for renovations to Constitution Hall, where the company will be staying during a yearlong renovation of its own Kennedy Center Opera House. The Kennedy Center will close in December and the Washington Opera will move into Constitution Hall in February, remaining there for the balance of 2003.
Chailly to Join Leipzig Opera
Riccardo Chailly will join the Leipzig Opera in Germany in 2005 after being the chief conductor of Amsterdam’s Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra since 1989.
