It sounds like Opera Australia is getting over-anxious about social media.

Here are the new house rules, posted on the company’s Fb page:

House Rules

We welcome and encourage open discussion and comments within the Opera Australia online community. This is a place for vibrant, friendly discussion about all things opera related.

 

This is where we share our love of opera with you through news about our work, behind the scenes updates, the occasional special offer and more. We enjoy engaging in relevant and respectful conversation with everyone from first-time audience members to dedicated opera buffs.

 

We value your feedback about your Opera Australia experience in all circumstances. However, we expect that your comments and posts will always be respectful of others. Differing opinions are welcome, but we have zero tolerance for any abuse of our artists, our staff or other online community members.

 

Remember, when you post a comment to a blog or social media site, it is published for the world to see.

 

Comments and posts that we consider offensive, defamatory, abusive, bullying or which unreasonably upset our community will be deleted. Participants who post offensive or inappropriate material will be reported and blocked.

Thank you for supporting and contributing to the Opera Australia online community.

 

opera australia

 

 

Agency report:

ST. PAUL, MN – Today, State Representative Phyllis Kahn (DFL – Minneapolis) announced plans to introduce legislation designed to ensure the long-term viability of the Minnesota Orchestra.

Kahn, who chairs the House Legacy Committee responsible for appropriating state funds to support the arts, said her bill can help Minnesota retain its world-renowned orchestra and prevent the kind of uncertainty caused by the current lockout, which has now dragged on for over a year.

More quotes here.

minn2

Roger Wright, director of the BBC Proms and BBC Radio 3, made the following statement in his RPS lecture at the weekend:

Sadly, however, I can let you know that the first ever residency by an orchestra

from the US will not now be happening at the Proms in 2015. We had planned for

some years a Sibelius symphony cycle by Osmo Vanska and the Minnesota Orchestra

and had held on to the plan through this last difficult year, only having to accept in the

last fortnight, with Osmo’s tragic but understandable resignation, that it won’t happen.

The loss of international prestige – a concomitant to a healthy economy – is considerable. It will take years for Minnesota to regain it.

minnesotaorchestraghost

That’s how they count them in Denmark. We’re stuck here on 41. Read on…

ADAM FISCHER AND HIS DANISH ORCHESTRA PRESENT EXCLUSIVE MOZART BOX SET

For seven years, the Austro-Hungarian conductor Adam Fischer has been working with the Danish National Chamber Orchestra, performing and recording the sym­phonies of W.A. Mozart in Copenhagen. This autumn, the project concludes with the release of a new CD box set of all 12 CDs with 45 symphonies, including eight unnumbered works from the composer’s youth. Fischer and his Danish players will bring the new box set to their concerts at the Wiener Konzerthaus and will celebrate the release with a reception on 15 October prior to two concerts on 16 and 17 October. 

 

Time and space for marvellous Mozart

Since 1998 Adam Fischer has been the chief conductor of the Danish National Chamber Orchestra. The orchestra’s calm Scandinavian pace of life has given the famous conductor a necessary counterbalance to his busy concert and touring schedule around the world: in Copenhagen Fischer is able to work in depth, which remains a high priority for the conductor. The combination of Adam Fischer and the 42 Danish musicians means time and space to think, to develop powerful ideas and to focus on even the smallest details of the music.

mozartportraifake

A “Danish” MozartIn the Nordic countries, Mozart has always been part of good taste, and in Den­mark in particular the nurturing of the classical concert repertoire has proud traditions. In 1811, the composer’s widow Constanze Mozart reported from Copen­hagen: “Mozart’s works are nowhere better performed than in this capital, when it comes to the orchestra.” Mrs. Mozart was speaking of the Royal Danish Orchestra, which was the capital’s only symphony orchestra at the time. Today, however, there is no doubt that the Danish National Chamber Orchestra – founded in 1937 – has been re-defining itself over recent decades and has developed into one of Europe’s leading ensembles for the Viennese repertoire. 

The 56th Street store where everyone from Tchaikovsky on went to buy their scores is now a screened-off hole in the ground.

No sentiment in New York, never was.

patelson's

photo (c) David Bernard

David adds:

The demise of Patelsons wasn’t really triggered by disinterest, or the so-called demise in Classical Music. It was more driven by bad business practices and a lack of willingness to change by the owners.
It is sad, because it was a mecca for musicians. The first time I went there, when I was in 5th grade, it seemed like a magical place—you could get anything you wanted and peruse it with your own two hands (as opposed to Franks music).
Personally, I think the owners experienced the typical Small Business syndrome— avoiding adapting to new markets and retaining old models.
That is what did them in.

 

 

The pianist Julian Jacobson will be playing the 32 sonatas for charity at the church of St Martin-in-the-Fields. Go, support him.beethoven_blog_header

Press release:

Celebrated pianist Julian Jacobson, acclaimed for the vitality, colour and insight he brings to his performances, celebrates the 10th anniversary of his first all-Beethoven charity piano marathon by staging this amazing event once more. The event will run from 9.15am-10pm on 15th October 2013 at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square with the aim of raising money for WaterAid and The Connection at St Martin-in-the-Fields.

 

Julian will perform all 32 Beethoven Piano Sonatas from memory in chronological order with the exception of Op. 106 ‘Hammerklavier’, prefaced by the Sonata in E minor, Op 90, which together will form a special lunchtime concert from 1-2pm within the marathon event itself. Likewise there will be a special ‘Total Beethoven’ concert at 7pm that evening which will conclude the day’s marathon. During this outstanding feat of endurance – undertaken by only two other pianists – he plans to take just 2 longer breaks of 30 minutes each on the day and a few shorter breaks of just 5 minutes each. The event will be live-streamed with a button for people to donate during the webcast.

 

Hailing from a musical background, Julian’s father was the distinguished composer, pianist and festival adjudicator, Maurice Jacobson. Julian studied piano from the age of seven and had published four songs by the age of nine. Later he studied at the Royal College of Music, Queen’s College, Oxford and with the great Hungarian pianist, Louis Kentner. He was also a founder member of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra. Julian Jacobson has appeared in concerts worldwide both as a soloist and a chamber musician and has appeared with many leading orchestras and conductors. His commitment to contemporary music has lead to several commissions and premieres and he has an impressive discography across many key record labels. He is currently Professor of Piano & Chamber Music at the Royal College of Music and is a sought-after teacher at summer schools and masterclasses.

 

Finland has more symphony orchestras per population (17: 5million) than any other nation. It also has more saunas per orchestra than anywhere else.
sauna
Neither of these facts has been, until now, politically contentious. Both contribute to the most admired education system on earth.
But cuts are kicking in and a sword is hanging over six ensembles.
Orchestras currently under threat are: Kuopio Orchestra, Lohja Orchestra, Kemi Orchestra. In addition, Lappeenranta Orchestra, Lapland Chamber Orchestra (chief conductor John Storgårds) and Helsinki Baroque Orchestra are under pressure.
The political pressure comes from the fast-rising, isolationist True Finns party. The TFs now have members in many municipal councils and in the national parliament. The Finnish consensus is under threat.
Here are some recent links (in Finnish):
Kuopio Orchestra in severe problems; deputy mayor: “It’s not out of question to discuss shutting down the entire orchestra”)
* Helsinki Baroque Orchestra loses its regular subsidies from Rauma municipality”
* “Politicians in Lappeenranta have suggested shutting down the orchestra”
Rovaniemi municipality proposes to cut down touring and recording subsidies for Lapland Chamber Orchesta as well as reduce funds to hire extra musicians to fill up this 15 member orchestra
 “True Finns: No more municipality funding for Lohja Orchestra”
* “The municipality stops funding the local string quartet” (also a vital part of Kemi Orchestra)

Remember electronic music? Big in the Seventies. The Giga-Hertz award keeps composers in hope of a revival.

This year’s Giga winners are John Chowning and Francis Dhomont with 10,000 Euros each.

Daniel Blinkhorn, Leo Hofmann, Alexander Schubert, Ying Wang and Roque Rivas get 8,000 each. That will help pay the utility bills.

john chowning

Nicola Benedetti has walked out on ever-troubled IMG Artists, joining start-up boutique agency, Emblem.

Her new agency is run by Elaine Armstrong, one of many agents who have fled to the hills from the constant rumblings at IMG. The Scottish violinist. a major international star, appears to be her first signing. Watch out for more.

nicola benedetti

 

The violinist Leila Josefowicz is putting up for sale the Bergonzi instrument on which she premiered a concerto by Esa-Pekka Salonen. No reason given. The fiddle is in the six-digit bracket.

You can see Leila playing it here:

 leila joseforwicz, bergonzi

 

***PRESS RELEASE ***

LEADING SOLOIST LEILA JOSEFOWICZ’S CONCERT

VIOLIN ESTIMATED TO FETCH £100,000-150,000

IN OCTOBER AUCTION IN LONDON

Ingles & Hayday are delighted to announce they will be selling a violin by Michele Angelo 

Bergonzi which has been the concert instrument of leading soloist Leila Josefowicz for the

last 12 years, in their auction on Tuesday, October 29, 2013 in London. It is estimated

to fetch £100,000-150,000.

Since her debut in 1994, Leila Josefowicz has appeared with many of the world’s most

prestigious orchestras and eminent conductors. Well known for playing contemporary

music and working closely with composers, Leila Josefowicz has been awarded a

MacArthur Foundation Fellowship in recognition of her passionate advocacy and genuine

commitment to the music of today.

The link below shows Leila playing the Bergonzi at the premiere of a new concerto which

was written for her by the conductor and composer Esa-Pekka Salonen.

Michele Angelo Bergonzi worked in Cremona, the home of the Stradivari and Guarneri 

families, and was the leading Cremonese maker of his day. His father, Carlo, worked in the

Stradivari workshop towards the end of Stradivari’s life, so it is highly likely that Michele

Angelo, who was 16 when Stradivari died, would have known his illustrious predecessor.

The sale will also include violins by Michele Angelo’s father, Carlo Bergonzi, and Francesco

Rugeri, a viola by Lorenzo Storioni, and a cello by David Tecchler.

Codaex UK, the major distributor of small labels that went down in the bankruptcy of its Belgian parent company, is back in business as New Arts International.

Joy for the minnows.

nai UPDATE: And more of the same from Spain. Diverdi went into liquidation around the same time as Codaex. The people behind it have set up a new venture, Semele. It’s springtime in October…

We have been informed of the sad death of Chloé Waysfeld, award-winning French mezzo-soprano and co-founder, with  Thierry Machuel and Jérôme Pellissier, of La Piccola Compagnie, which brought opera to children.

Our sympathies to her colleagues and family.

chloe waysfeld