Opera Loving Criminals
Robert Whitehead, now a convicted con artist, will be sentenced on May 7 after pleading guilty to swindling nearly $10 million from investors. An avid opera fan, Whitehead donated $100,000 of this stolen money to the Metropolitan Opera.
Graziella Sciutti Dies
Italian soprano and opera director Graziella Sciutti passed away on April 9 at the age of 68 after suffering from cancer. Known for her interpretations of Mozart, she sang at La Scala, Vienna State Opera, and San Francisco Opera, and later began her directing career at Covent Garden and the Glyndebourne Festival and continued to direct companies around the world. She joined the faculty of London’s Royal College of Music in the ‘80s and taught there until just before her death.
Metropolitan Opera Awards
Congratulations to the five winners of the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions: sopranos Melissa Citro, Rachelle Durkin and Kristine Winkler, and tenors Lawrence Brownlee and Jesus Garcia. Each winner was awarded $15,000.
Sheet Music at Your Fingertips
Net4music.com offers downloadable sheet music in all music types. Prices are reasonable, audio files are available. Check out the vocal selections!
Strike at La Scala
Because of 16-month-long contract disputes, musicians at La Scala went on strike, which forced the cancellation of March 27th’s performance of Falstaff. Ticket holders received refunds but no information was released regarding a continuation of the Verdi opera series.
Brahms a Cat-Killer?
Many feline lovers have long abhorred the work of Johannes Brahms because of the countless cat books that accused Brahms of being a serial cat-killer. For years, Brahms was thought to have used a bow and arrow to shoot cats from his window, and then to have incorporated their tormented whimperings into his music. Fortunately, thanks to the research of Brahms expert Calum MacDonald, it has been proven that these rumors are not true! They were, in fact, rumors started by Brahms’ rival Wagner, who never actually set foot near Brahms’ home. Good news feline fans! You can sing and listen to Brahms without guilt!
An All-Female Opera Company
May 5th saw the launching of a new opera company entirely composed of women. Opera Femina opened with a production of Puccini’s Suor Angelica. In regards to the goal of the company, artistic director Sarah Estill said, “We’re not against men and we’re not trying to glorify women. It’s just about giving opportunities to women when there’s such a surplus of talent in a male-dominated business.” All the best to this new company!
Giuseppe Sinopoli Dies On Stage
Maestro Sinopoli collapsed on the podium of the Deutsche Opera in Berlin on Saturday, April 21st during the third act of Verdi’s Aida. He had a heart attack and was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.
A Couple of Zeros Missing in Jury Verdict
In a lawsuit against MP3.com brought by Tee Vee Toons, the jury, which incidentally included a math teacher, intended to award 2.9 million dollars but accidentally awarded $296,873. MP3.com considered it a victory, but the judge is considering declaring a mistrial, leaving the award, or changing it to the intended $2.9 million.
How Much Can Contracts Dictate?
Back Stage recently reported that Heidi Guenther, a dancer with Boston ballet, was refused a contract until she lost weight. In order to win this contract she adhered to the condition and was hired at 5’3” and 93 lbs. As a result of this, she developed anorexia and died of arrhythmia in 1997. Her mother filed a lawsuit against the company, stipulating that their demands resulted in her condition. The lawsuit was recently thrown out.
How to Get the Most Out of Airlines
Consumer Reports Travel Letter (April 2001, p. 1) has micro-analyzed the on-time data published by the U.S. Dept of Transportation and recommends the following if you want your flight to arrive on time: avoid travel in December and June, and on Fridays with a departure time of between 7-8 PM. Also, try to avoid United and America West Airlines, and LaGuardia Airport.
New Opera to Premiere This Summer
Phillip Glass’s White Raven will premiere at the Lincoln Center Festival this summer. White Raven was commissioned by the Portuguese government to commemorate the discoveries of Portuguese explorers from 1490 to 1500. In the tradition of honoring a composer each year, the festival will also include a 3-part retrospective honoring Glass’s work.
Tension Between Administration and The Met Opera Club
Members of this 108-year-old club have long enjoyed special privileges that come with their hefty annual donations, such as a private black-tie only dining room. The Met has recently started to step on some toes by demanding an increase in membership fees, opening up their private dining room to the public, and closing off the building to the club’s clerical staff.
Opera Director or Dictator?
At 81 years old, Wolfgang Wagner was told to vacate the seat of executive director of the Bayreuth Festival Foundation by October 1, 2001. Wagner plans to brush aside this directive however, and continue to rule the foundation. In direct opposition of the foundation’s stipulations, Wagner has already contractually lined up a ‘03 production of The Flying Dutchman. Wagner has an ironclad contract giving him authority, but chances are the leadership dispute will wind up in court.
