December 12, 2022
Brussels’ La Monnaie just announced a new sustainability project with Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, the Opéra de Paris and the Opéra de Lyon. The goal is to reduce the carbon footprint resulting from the manufacture and transportation of the stage sets.
In today’s email:
- The big idea: The Met Opera cyberattack may be more severe than we thought
- Research: New study probes connections between music and empathy
- Guide: 12 great gift ideas for classical music lovers
- Cartoon of the week
- Around the web: An illusion at the Paris art fair, science questions the wisdom of 8 glasses of water a day, Iguana causes power outage, plus more curious internet finds.
CLASSICAL CHARTS
THE BIG IDEA
The Met Opera Cyberattack May Be Worse Than We Thought
After being targeted by a cyberattack last week, the Metropolitan Opera computer systems have been shut down.
The timing could not be worse as the Met Opera sells $200,000 tickets daily, with the holidays being one of their busiest times of the year.
Why it matters
The Metropolitan Opera has been struggling to recover from the financial instability caused by disruptions from the pandemic. The Met reported disappointing results after just 61% of tickets sold. Across 196 staged performances, sales were down 75% from the last season before the pandemic hit in 2018-19.
Three days following the cyberattack that crippled its website and box office, the Met Opera stated that it would begin selling $50 flat-rate tickets to some shows via a site maintained by Lincoln Center.
In a statement to the New York Times, Met's general manager Peter Gelb stated it would take several more days to restore the Met's ticketing site. The attack also disrupted the company's internal networks, including its payroll system.
"It takes time because when you have been hacked, you have to be sure that whatever functions are going back online are not going to be compromised," Gelb explained.
While all performances of "Aida" and "The Hours" have gone on as scheduled, the Met has been unable to sell tickets, even its last-minute rush ticket program.
Who is responsible?
Gelb stated that the Met was still determining who was responsible for the cyberattack and evaluating the damage.
More damage
The Musikverein, Vienna's premiere concert hall, reported it was also targeted by a cyberattack attack which took the website down.
The Musikverein blamed the issues on malware. However, unlike the Met Opera, their internal systems were not affected.
Cyberattacks explained
Cyberattacks are malicious attempts to access or damage a computer or network system. For example, in a Ransomware attack, criminals use malicious software to encrypt a victim's files. The attackers then demand a ransom from the victim to restore access to the files, often threatening to delete the files permanently if the ransom is not paid. Ransomware attacks can cause significant disruption and financial loss and can be very difficult to recover from.
THE LATEST
Streaming: Apple promised to launch a new Classical Music App in 2022. What happened?
Opinion: English National Opera’s precarious future has some worried about a ripple effect.
Conductor: Barenboim to take up baton again after health break.
Orchestra: Toronto Symphony Orchestra announces surprise tour in February 2023.
Organ: How an organ helps Catholic monks prepare for Christmas.
Tragedy: Cellist jumps to his death at Disneyland.
Strings: Canadian project aims to create 3D-printed violins for students.
Biz News: The San Francisco Conservatory of Music buys a major British classical artist agency.
Pop: Taylor Swift has signed a deal with Searchlight Pictures to direct her first feature-length film based on an original script she’s written.
STUDY
New Study Probes Connections Between Music and Empathy
Music-making is a fundamental part of human history. The oldest known piece of music dates back 4,000 years, while pipes and flutes made of animal bones have been dated to 40,000 to 60,000 years ago.
And, how long before that did they begin using their voices, clapping, using logs or even the ground as drum surfaces?
Stepping back even further than that begs another question — what first led our ancient Hominin ancestors to create deliberate sounds by making holes in hollow bones, and then blowing through them, in the first place? Why music, in other words?
That’s the essential question behind a newly published study with the imposing title Initial evidence for a relation between behaviourally assessed empathic accuracy and affect sharing for people and music. The study by researchers at the University of Oregon, published in the journal Emotions, looked into the relationship between understanding the emotions of other people and understanding the emotions conveyed by musical expression. In other words, are people who demonstrate empathy also better able to understand and share emotions through music?
And, what does that mean?
The researchers note that some evolutionary theories put music and empathy together, suggesting that music evolved as a way of sharing emotional and social connections.
The study used a group of undergraduate students as well as online participants from across the US. They looked at the reactions of the participants to people sharing personal stories, as well as music. Participants watched a video where subjects talked about an event from their own lives, one that held a lot of emotion for them. They also heard a piece for piano that was composed specifically to convey a certain emotion.
There were “positive associations” between both modes of expression that cut across social groups and musical genres. The people who showed advanced empathetic abilities were also the best able to feel the emotions of the music.
The study’s authors note that more research is needed, with a view towards looking at ways that music can be actively used to help develop the way people think about each other. Perhaps, empathy can be cultivated via music.
Where to next?
The study is part of a path toward understanding the very origins of music itself. Did our Neanderthal ancestors (or perhaps even earlier Hominins) develop music as a way of sharing emotions — a kind of communal expression of feelings?
It’s an intriguing idea, and one that spurred the researchers, led by Zachary Wallmark, musicologist and cognitive scientist. He’s quoted by ZME Science.
“If music evolved to help us navigate our social environment, and music is first and foremost a social behaviour, then we would expect there’d be some sort of shared neural processes underlying both,” Wallmark said.
The Grammy Foundation is funding Wallmark’s further studies, which look to take his assertion to the next step. The research team will use brain scans to measure and compare the activity of neural circuits when subjects are exposed to empathetic situations and music.
GUIDE
12 Great Gift Ideas for Classical Music Lovers
Are you struggling to find the perfect gift for the classical music lover in your life this Christmas? Look no further! Here are 13 great gift ideas that will please any fan of classical music.
Tickets to a live classical music performance. There's nothing quite like experiencing classical music in a live setting. Consider purchasing tickets to a symphony or opera for the classical music lover in your life.
A subscription to a classical music streaming service. For the classical music lover who loves to discover new music, a subscription to a streaming service such as Naxos or Primephonic is the perfect gift.
A book on the history of classical music. For the classical music lover who is also a history buff, consider a book on the history of classical music. One great option is "The Classical Music Experience" by John Burrows.
A CD or vinyl classical music recording. For the classical music lover who loves to collect physical copies of their favourite music, a CD or vinyl collection is a great gift. One of the best releases this year (in our humble opinion) is "Afar” by Icelandic pianist Víkingur Ólafsson.
High-quality headphones or speakers. For the classical music lover who wants to experience their favourite music in the best possible sound quality, a set of high-quality headphones or speakers is a great gift.
A music stand. For the classical music lover who plays an instrument or enjoys reading sheet music.
A new instrument. For the classical music lover who has always wanted to learn to play an instrument, consider purchasing a new instrument such as a violin or piano.
A gift certificate for music lessons. For the classical music lover who wants to improve their skills or learn a new instrument, a gift certificate for music lessons is a great idea.
A beautiful music box. For the classical music lover who appreciates the beauty of music, a music box that plays a classical melody is a lovely gift.
A gift card to a local music store. For the classical music lover who loves to shop for sheet music and musical accessories, a gift card to a local music store is a great gift.
A personalized piece of sheet music. For a truly unique gift, consider creating a personalized piece of sheet music with the recipient's name or a special message written in the score.
A classical music-themed puzzle or game. For the classical music lover who loves a good challenge, consider a classical music-themed puzzle or game, such as a crossword or Sudoku book with a classical music twist.
No matter which gift you choose, any classical music lover is sure to appreciate the thought and effort you put into finding the perfect present. Happy shopping!
FOR FUN
How to Draw Ludwig van Beethoven
Courtesy of Mister Brush, follow along with the step-by-step video tutorial below.
To draw Ludwig van Beethoven, you will need a pencil (easier) or pen (harder) plus a piece of paper.
Start by sketching out Beethoven's slightly scowling eyes and eyebrows. Then, add more details by adding his nose and mouth. After that, start adding the basic shape of Beethoven's face. Once you’re satisfied with the overall shape, add his hair and wrinkles to his forehead and around his eyes to make his face more realistic. Finally, don’t forget to add his collar, the lapels on his jacket, and the buttons on his shirt.
Remember to take your time and have fun with it! Of course, there is no such thing as a perfect drawing, so feel free to follow your style.
Submit your sketch to us by email, and we’ll publish it in a future issue.
AROUND THE WEB
📅 On this day: In 1792 Vienna, Ludwig van Beethoven received his 1st lesson in music composition from Franz Joseph Haydn.
🚰 Interesting: A new study says you don’t need eight glasses of water a day.
🪞 Illusion: An art fair in Paris is causing a stir due to this amazing trick of the eye.
🦎 Oops: Iguana causes large-scale power outage in South Florida city
🐹 Awe: Your life is now complete—a website dedicated to guinea pigs.
CARTOON OF THE WEEK
Credit: Jeffrey Curnow/NPR
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