Paul Mason, economics editor of Channel 4, studied music in Sheffield in the late 1970s. Here’s his considered view on what it does to us:
‘Music – I mean the classical music I studied – taught me above all: no act of imagination is futile. Music is the imagination running wild, through a landscape that is only colour and emotion. Its mere existence refutes the demand of the neoliberals for us to be acquisitive, selfish individuals.’
Not bad. Not bad at all.
From a new study of 100 child violinists by Izabela Wagner: ‘For every ten students, one will attempt suicide, one will become mentally ill, two will become alcoholics, two will slam doors and jettison the violin out the window, three will work as violinists, and perhaps one will become a soloist.’
Read the full article here.
Margot Winspear who, with her late husband Bill, built the Dallas opera house, has died at 83.
DALLAS, OCTOBER 21, 2015 – The Dallas Opera is sad to announce the death yesterday of Mrs. William W. Winspear at an assisted living facility in Dallas, Texas, following a long illness. Margot Winspear was 83 years old.
“It was with profound sorrow that The Dallas Opera learned of the passing of Margot Winspear, the late Bill Winspear’s wife, partner and muse; the much-loved mother of five children and grandmother to many more. Although these were the roles of which she was undoubtedly most proud, Margot was also a dedicated and passionate music lover, a longtime member of The Dallas Opera Board, and an extraordinary benefactor who, along with her husband, gave the history-making $42 million dollar gift that sparked the construction of their namesake opera house at the AT&T Performing Arts Center. It was a long-held dream come true.
“Besides crucial leadership roles in the arts in Dallas, Margot and Bill Winspear established an endowment for UNT’s College of Music and generously supported young, emerging talents, including the internationally renowned soprano Latonia Moore. They were instrumental in the construction of UNT’s performance hall at the Murchison Performing Arts Center and donated additional millions to UT Southwestern Medical Center for Alzheimer’s research.
“They were inspirational in other ways as well: they loved life, remembered where they came from, sought the best for their community, gave generously and wisely, and cherished each other always.
“Our hearts go out to Don and Ellen Winspear and to all the grieving friends and family members. We will never forget Margot’s warmth, her quiet grace, or her ever-present smile.
“She was, and is, irreplaceable.”
Steve Suellentrop, Chairman
The Opéra de Paris has move fast to placate animal rights activists who might have been stirred by the sight of a live bull on the stage of Schoenberg’s Moses und Aron last night.
The Opéra has issued the following notice:
Le taureau, Easy Rider, a été choisi au mois de mai pour être présent dans cette nouvelle production. Depuis le mois de juin, il vit en Sologne où il est quotidiennement préparé à être au contact proche de l’homme. Il est habitué en douceur aux éclairages et à la musique. Hébergé à l’Ecole vétérinaire de Maisons-Alfort, pendant son séjour parisien, il n’est présent à l’Opéra national de Paris qu’une heure avant le début de chaque représentation et apparaît deux fois 15 minutes sur scène. A la fin des représentations il retournera dans sa maison en Sologne.
The bull, Easy Rider, was cast in May for the role in this new production. Since June, he has been living in close proximity to humans and has been slowly habituated to lights and music. During his working visit to Paris he is being hosted at l’Ecole vétérinaire de Maisons-Alfort. He attends the Opéra no earlier than one hour before his performance and spends 15 minutes on stage. When the production ends, he will return home to Sologne.
Bring back the golden calf…
