The Telegraph notes that opera companies are increasingly feeling the need to warn audiences about explicit or potentially sensitive content onstage. Is this because of heightened sensitivities? Increasingly provocative productions? Companies hoping for publicity? The answer could be: all of the above.
Remembering Kendall Betts
Kendall Betts, who Norman Lebrecht calls "one of the leading US horn players of the past two generations," has died after being diagnosed with lung cancer. Betts was principal horn of the Minnesota Orchestra from 1979 to 2004, and founder of the well-regarded Kendall Betts Horn Camp.
Pekka Kuusisto does stand-up
Introducing a Finnish folk song at the Proms this week, Pekka Kuusisto turned out to be as quick with a quip as he is with a bow. The Royal Albert Hall audience roared with laughter as Kuusisto dropped lines like one in reference to the 19th century, "the time when Russia used to be a part of Finland."
Does that cello have a visa?
Swiss cellist Jane Bevan says that her cello was bumped from a British Airways flight to Baltimore — because it didn't have a visa. This despite the fact that she'd booked a separate seat for the instrument, under the name "Chuck Cello." The next day, Bevan booked a flight on United Airlines, where she flew with no incident and the staff even offered to upgrade Chuck to first-class. (The Independent)
Mozart in the Jungle season three release date set
Amazon has announced a release date for the third season of its hit show Mozart in the Jungle. The show, set in New York's classical music world, will return on Dec. 9. Among this season's highlights: a cameo from Placido Domingo.
Chautauqua SO approve strike authorization
Members of the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra (N.Y.) have approved a strike authorization "for the first time in the symphony's 87-year history," notes the Buffalo News. "That raises the possibility that a strike could be approved between Dec. 31, when the contract expires, and the start of the 2017 season in June." At issue: musician pay.
Hough says concerts should be shorter
Acclaimed pianist Stephen Hough has offered his opinion that classical music concerts could be more satisfying if they were shorter, with no intermission. "I think we should consider removing the interval and starting either earlier or later than 7:30 p.m.," wrote Hough in an essay published online. "60 to 80 minutes of music, then out." (a href="http://www.thestrad.com/cpt-latests/classical-concerts-should-be-shorter-to-attract-younger-audiences-says-pianist-stephen-hough/" target="_blank">The Strad)
Coppola spotted at Bayreuth
Film director Francis Ford Coppola is reportedly attending Wagner productions at Bayreuth this summer. Coppola helped make Wagner's "Ride of the Valkyries" theme iconic for today's moviegoers when he featured it during a memorable scene in his 1979 movie Apocalypse Now.
https://youtu.be/g6gcz4hdLA8
Lang premieres work for choir of 1,000
On Saturday at Lincoln Center, a volunteer choir of 1,000 debuted a new work by composer David Lang for an audience of about 2,000. The public domain is "an intricate, rich musical composition," says the New York Times.
Helfgott: Still famous
Almost 20 years after the release of biopic Shine, David Helfgott is still Wikipedia's most-searched living pianist. Trailing Helfgott by a wide margin: Daniel Barenboim and Andre Previn. (Slipped Disc)
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