Stamp to Honor Marian Anderson
The U.S. Postal Service recently announced it will issue a commemorative stamp featuring the renowned contralto Marian Anderson. Set to be issued next year, the stamp will be one of a series of 24 stamps called “Celebrations,” which will feature artists, sports figures, politicians, and a variety of non-human subjects. “Celebrations” doesn’t feature a unifying theme, but all of the stamps illustrate someone or something important in recent American history, said the Postal Service. [If would like to see your very favorite artist on a stamp go to stamps.com and put your own headshot on a stamp! It’s a three-month Postal Service trial.]
http://teachers.westport.k12.ct.us/resource/womens_history.htm
Texas Couple Makes Major Contribution to University of Texas Music School
Texas philanthropists Sarah and Ernest Butler have donated $2 million to be used as an endowment for opera and theater education at the music school of the University of Texas in Austin. The school says it will use much of the money for work with graduate students in conducting and coaching. In gratitude for this generous gift, this area of study henceforth will be named The Sarah and Ernest Butler Opera Theatre Program.
www.bignewsnetwork.com
Gérard Souzay Dead at Age 85
Renowned French baritone Gérard Souzay died in his sleep at his home in Cap d’Antibes on Aug. 17. Born Dec. 18, 1918, in Angers, France, Souzay grew up in a musical family. He studied philosophy in Paris and voice at that city’s conservatoire with Pierre Bernac and Vanni Marcoux.
Souzay made his recital debut in 1945. His total mastery of both German and French classical song is uncontested, and he performed mainly art songs for more than a decade before assuming operatic roles. Reissues of his many recordings are readily available.
Opera expert Mike Richter, whose huge audio library seems to have no bounds, has offered to put sound clips of this legendary singer on his Web site for you to hear, at
www.mrichter.com
Carnegie Hall Appoints New Director
Carnegie Hall recently announced it has hired Clive Gillinson to be the organization’s new executive and artistic director. Gillinson, 58, who is currently the managing director of the London Symphony Orchestra, will assume his new duties in July of 2005.
A former cellist who took over managing the British orchestra when it was close to bankruptcy, Gillinson has brought LSO back to financial health. He attributes that recuperation to policies that always put the music first.
When he begins work at Carnegie Hall, Gillinson hopes to use new technology to increase the auditorium’s education and outreach programs. He is already involved in planning for next summer and thereafter—but says he won’t reveal any specifics until he actually assumes his new position.
www.crainsny.com/news.cms?newsId=8540
Take Heart If You Have a Bad Review!
A well-known critic once visited Giuseppe Verdi while the great opera composer was finishing the score of Il trovatore. When Verdi played a bit of the “Anvil Chorus,” the critic said it was trash—and he liked the “Miserere” even less. Lastly, the composer played some of “Di quella pira,” and the writer said it was dreadful.
Verdi was very pleased. “I am writing a popular opera, not one for purists, classicists and solemn judges like you,” he said. “…Your distaste assures me of success!” We all know how right he was, too.
California Now Lowest in Arts Funding
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger recently vetoed a proposed $1 million increase in funding for the state’s arts council, earning the state the unhappy distinction of being dead last among all 50 states in per capita spending on the arts.
At one time the arts flourished in the “Golden State,” but last year funding fell from $17.5 million to a mere $1 million. This year’s proposed increase would have doubled that spending and might have assured the viability of some organizations that now may perish.
http://cac.ca.gov Click on “CA no longer state of the arts”
Teaching Voice at a Call Center
American mezzo-soprano Lisa Schaufer who recently won a prize at the Aspen Music Festival, has been helping the sales staff at the British Gas Company’s call center use their voices more effectively. Explaining that the workers need their voices to be the tools of their trade, she puts them through a routine that includes breathing exercises, stretching routines and vocal scales. After that, she encourages them to sing selections from well-known musicals.
Customer Service Manager Justin Kerfoot says the company is trying out opera-based voice training for its sales staff in Wales. He says he wants his employees’ voices to be music to their customers’ ears.
http://news.bbc.co.us/2/hi/uk_news/wales/3531184.stm
http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk
A Sign of the Times at the NY Philharmonic
The New York Philharmonic cancelled plans to tour Spain and Italy last September, which served to remind people that the orchestra’s management had recently changed its mind about two other recent tours. Executive Director Zarin Mehta explained that the orchestra has had to rethink touring. Touring requires multiple sponsors, Mehta explained, adding that the orchestra also needs to cut costs by substituting busses for chartered planes in some situations.
On NYP’s upcoming tours to Europe this November, to Italy in June 2006, and to the West Coast and Asia the following November, orchestra officials say that players will travel by surface transportation whenever feasible.
www.nytimes.com
Archives: Philharmonic Downshifts
