Manuel Brug, called out by soprano Kathryn Lewek for bodyshaming, has hit back in an article, asking his readers for acceptable synonyms for ‘fat’ (or ‘dick’ in German).
The headline? ‘Why it is correct to use the word ‘dick”
In a hole, he really should stop digging.
Read here (auf Deutsch).
Especially when they keep finding new fragments.
Deutsche Grammophon gave the answer today.
In November it will be issuing a 123-disc Beethoven – The New Complete Edition, replete with several rarities.
Lang Lang will play the obscure Menuett in C major (WoO 218) and Daniel Hope performs the last notes Beethoven wrote before his death.
Andris Nelsons and the Vienna Philharmonic will record the nine symphonies, Jan Lisiecki will play the five piano concertos and Maurizio Pollini will have another go at the late sonatas.
More, more….
VAN magazine has an extensive report of allegations by Laura Eisen, former orchestra manager of the Staatskapelle Berlin, that she was screamed at and physically shaken by the music director, Daniel Barenboim.
“He screamed at me that I should leave the room and that he can’t trust me anymore,” she wrote. “As I was going to respond to him, he came toward me, grabbed me with both hands on my upper body (between my shoulders and throat) and shook me. As he did so, he screamed at me that I should disappear/leave the room. I was shocked and took two steps back toward the door and left. My last memory of the encounter was the expression on Mr. Barenboim’s face. In the moment I shrunk back, he seemed shocked by his own actions.”
Ms Eisen ceased working for the Staatskapelle in July. Barenboim’s contract had been renewed a month earlier.
A legal investigation commissioned by the Staatsoper found, according to Ms Eisen, that ‘The accusations of the abuse of power by Mr. Barenboim were not supported by legally relevant accusations.’
Laura tells VAN: ‘So it happened: OK. But what happened after was completely not OK.’
Read the full, gruelling report here.
UPDATE: Barenboim denies assault
Musicians of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra have announced a free concert led by Marin Alsop and featuring a combined choir from the choral community of Baltimore, including the Carter Legacy Singers. Soloists are soprano Janice Chandler-Eteme and baritone Brian Stokes Mitchell.
The music director is clearly indicating where her sentiments lie in this unending act of mismanagement.
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and Music Director Manfred Honeck have selected Kyle Mustain of the Oregon Symphony as Principal English Horn (which some call cor anglais).
He starts work next week.
The PR says he’s a fan of Prime Minister’s Questions, definitely an acquired taste.
The Georgian soprano Nino Machaidze expressed ‘deepest regret’ a couple of months ago for pulling out of a Paris Traviata to undergo treatment for hip and thigh complaints.
She should have been singing Violetta in Paris next week. Instead, she will be in Frankfurt, jumping in as Desdemona in Rossini’s Otello.
Here’s what she says:
My dears, I’m happy to inform you about a surprise news 😊 I have just arrived in Frankfurt to jump into the production of Rossini’s “Otello” signed by Damiano Michieletto that I already performed in Wien 3 years ago 🥰 This is completely unexpected news and on sunday I will sing the Opening night almost without rehearsals 😊 As you know because of my hip and leg problems and to be able to take care of myself, I had to cancel another production, which would have seen me involved for a long period in La Traviata performances in beautiful Opéra de Paris. I am still very sorry for this and I hope to return soon to Paris, city and Theater that I love very much and with who I’m still very thankful for understanding and kindness 🥰During this month and next one I still have to continue treatment on my leg, but thanks to hard physiotherapy that I did during last month and days in between my performances in Salzburg, fortunately now I feel much better and finally I can get back to the performances, especially with such short rehearsal period 😊 Love you all and I look forward to meeting you in Frankfurt Opera house from 8 to 29 September.
Why is it that Paris is everyone’s first-choice cancellation?
From the Toronto International Film Festival’s trailer for The Song of Names, directed by Francois Girard:
