No images? Click here November 6, 2023 If you can't dish out discipline, this restaurant will dish out a fee. A restaurant in the US has added a $50 ‘unable to parent’ fee for rowdy kids to the menu. +++ In this week’s email:
CLASSICAL CHARTZ Weekly selections are based on sales numbers and albums we simply love and think you NEED to hear! For the complete top 20, tune into Classical Chartz with the New Classical FM’s Mark Wigmore every Saturday from 3-5 pm EST! THE BIG IDEA Royal Opera House Looks Into Product PlacementsIn the heart of London, the Royal Opera House (ROH) stands as a testament to the grandeur of the performing arts. Yet, as it faces increasing competition, the venerable institution may need to embrace the digital age's dynamism to ensure its future. According to Bloomberg, Lloyd Dorfman, the chairman of the board of trustees at the ROH, is spearheading a pioneering approach to bridge the gap between classic artistry and modern-day technology. The ChallengeThe ROH is currently navigating a complex financial maze, with a daunting deficit of £15 million and an additional £200 million required for essential renovations. This financial pressure comes amid a broader context where public funding for the arts is increasingly scarce. With the conventional wells of support drying up, the ROH is looking to alternative revenue streams to safeguard its legacy. Luxury LifelineOne of Dorfman's strategies involves leveraging the allure of luxury brands. High-end fashion houses like Burberry have experience in the performing arts, creating bespoke ballet costumes for special performances. The idea is to expand these collaborations by integrating luxury brands into the fabric of the ROH's daily operations seamlessly. An Example includes having Rolex sponsor the precise timing of ballet performances, elevating the brand's association with precision and excellence while infusing the ROH with much-needed funds. Digital PirouettesSocial media platforms, especially TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, are transforming how people consume content. One idea is to have the ROH create content tailored to these digital ecosystems. Imagine costume designers sharing behind-the-scenes looks at ballet wardrobes, becoming influencers in their own right, or streaming performances on Netflix, making the art form accessible to a global audience. This strategy could open up new revenue channels through partnerships and digital viewership. Utilizing Every AssetThe proposal goes beyond partnerships and digital endeavours. The ROH has a treasure trove of assets in its property, productions, and people. Renting out its spaces for events, licensing its productions for broadcast, and leveraging the star power of its performers for workshops and masterclasses could all contribute to its financial stability. Why This MattersThe ROH's situation is a microcosm of the broader issues facing cultural institutions worldwide. As they contend with diminishing public funds, these organizations must innovate to survive. The strategies proposed by Dorfman represent a shift from reliance on public funding to a self-sustaining model that blends tradition with modern business practices. If successful, the ROH's approach could serve as a blueprint for other institutions. It is a delicate dance of preserving the integrity of the art while adapting to the ever-changing cultural and financial landscape. — MV TOUR DE HEADLINES Photo of Maria Callas from the television talk show Small World. Author Lyndsy Spence Fires Back at Robert Sutherland’s Claims that Maria Callas was Homophobic & Anti-Semitic — Floria Di Stefano rebukes Sutherland's negative portrayal of her father and Callas, highlighting misrepresentations and her family's distress. | OperaWire Yuri Temirkanov, World-Renowned Conductor, Dies at 84 — Yuri Temirkanov, the acclaimed conductor who revitalized the St. Petersburg Philharmonic and led the Baltimore Symphony, has passed away at 84. He was celebrated for his dynamic performances of Russian classics and his unique, baton-less conducting style. | Washington Post BBC Radio Scotland Announces Young Classical Musician Competition — BBC Radio Scotland, in collaboration with the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, has launched a competition for young classical musicians to showcase emerging talent. The winner will perform with the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra and gain a feature on Classical Now. | BBC Yamaha Piano Sales in China Hit Wrong Key After Policy Change — Yamaha's profits in China are dipping due to educational policies cutting down extracurriculars like music, contrasting with sales growth in other regions. The company plans to adapt by diversifying its Chinese market offerings beyond pianos. | The Asahi Shimbun PIANO WOES Daniil Trifonov (Photo courtesy of the artist) Superstar Russian Pianist Unable to Acquire UK VisaThe pianist Daniil Trifonov is forced to cancel performances in the UK due to visa issues. What’s Up?: The USA-based Russian pianist Daniil Trifonov has had a season of performance cancellations in the UK due to difficulties acquiring a visa. Most recently, the Philharmonia Orchestra announced a substitute on November 26th for Triifonov’s scheduled London appearance. This cancellation follows numerous others, despite “timely and concerted efforts.” No explanation has been offered, including from Trifonov’s management. Refresher: Born in 1991, the Grammy award-winning pianist Daniil Trifonov has been lauded as “without question the most astounding pianist of our age” by the London Times. He rose to fame after winning the Arthur Rubinstein and International Tchaikovsky Competitions in 2011, followed by numerous others. He regularly performs worldwide and was recently made a Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the government of France. Digging Deeper: Although the UK may be off the table for the time being, fans can catch Trifonov this month playing in the US, Spain, France and Germany. Fingers’ crossed the UK government grants him re-entry soon. — SS THE HOLLYWOOD TREATMENT John Williams. Photo courtesy of the artist Everything We Know About the John Williams Documentary by Steven SpielbergThe legendary film composer John Williams will be the subject of a feature-length documentary led by his longtime collaborator, Steven Spielberg. What’s Up?: Steven Spielberg has confirmed his work on a documentary about the 90-year-old film composer John Williams. The film will be directed by Laurent Bouzerau, whose many documentaries include Natalie Wood: What Remains Behind (2019) and Five Came Back (2017). The documentary will be produced by Amblin Television, Imagine Documentaries and Nedland Media. Refresher: The composer, conductor and pianist John Williams was born in 1932 in Queens, New York City. He is often considered the world’s most recognized composer as well as the most influential composer in movie history. Williams has been nominated for 52 Academy Awards, won 5, and is the winner of 25 Grammy Awards for film scores, including Star Wars, Indiana Jones, E.T. and Schindler’s List. As a conductor, he has been music director of the Boston Pops Orchestra, artist-in-residence at the Tanglewood Institute and led yearly summertime concerts in L.A.’s Hollywood Bowl. QUIZ Which of the following produces their sound via a dry piece of cane or bamboo?A: Saxophone B: Clarinet C: Oboe D: Flute E: Bassoon Scroll down for the answer… AROUND THE WEB 📅 On this day: Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (1840 - 1893) dies. 💾 Cure Boredom: A long-gone consumer electronics brand that sold products in Walmart 20 years ago still has its original website online. 📖 Useful: Wikipedia reference pages, ranked. 🧩 Fun: Do a jigsaw puzzle online. PHOTO OF THE WEEK There are only two photos of Mahler conducting, both taken from the rear. According to Slippedisc, artificial intelligence has been put to work by an orchestra in Krefeld, Germany, to imagine what Mahler looked like conducting. It’s scary how real it looks. QUIZ ANSWER A. Saxophone; B. Clarinet; C, Oboe; E, Bassoon. How did you like today's email? |