Saturday, March 16, 2013

realignment

So when last we posted, it was the Noise Ministry's favorite Scots Gaelic moping song, and since then East Thirdflooria has hopped freight for King Festus Land, so we are now for the time being technically the Unified Republic of North Thirdflooria. The feline oligarchy, however, remains the same.

In way more interesting news, those of you on Twitter may have seen (via Zerbinetta's RT) Fabio Luisi's comment (via Norman Lebrecht's blog) on Antonio Pappano's comment about singers and cancellations. If you haven't, it has made for quite the Comments Section. Apparently there's plenty of blame to go around for both cancellations and the foreshortened careers of young, over-parted singers. German houses take multiple hits, interestingly, and there is much pointing of fingers at the inordinate power of directors in the casting process. 129 responses so far, and among the posters many names you will recognize.

Those on this side of the water who've been reading the glowing reviews of George Benjamin's Written on Skin on the other side (at ROH, and before that at Aix) may wish to note that the work has its North American premiere this summer at Tanglewood. (At Ozawa Hall, so I'm guessing this is a concert performance.) Reviews in the Guardian, Independent, Telegraph, FT all pretty much say the same thing, only The Arts Desk begs to differ.

Update: Alex Ross sides with the majority opinion.

2 comments:

  1. Yes, that Comments Section has made riveting and lengthy reading. Hope the realignment has gone smoothly and the felines approve.

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    Replies
    1. Realignment is a lot of work, but the extra space on the bookshelves has its attractions. And the felines don't mind, as long as I spend %100 more time and energy keeping them in the style to which they have become accustomed.

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