No images? Click here July 10, 2023 The Toronto Zoo is pleading for visitors to stop showing cell phone videos to gorillas "as some content can be upsetting and affect their relationships and behaviour within their family." +++ It’s Monday, so let’s get to it!
CLASSICAL CHARTS THE BIG IDEA Jane Austen's Long-Lost Music Book Found on Distant Relative's ShelfIn an exciting turn of events, a missing music book that once belonged to renowned novelist Jane Austen has been found gathering dust on a distant relative's shelf. The book was thought to be lost sometime between 1978 and 1987. How was it found?This 200+-year-old treasure was found at the Austen family residence, known as Chawton House where composer Ethel Worsley had grown up. Worsley was the granddaughter of the great niece of Jane Auston, and at some point, gained possession of the music book. The author's distant relatives likely never guessed they were sitting on a historical jackpot. Why is the book so significant?The music book is believed to have been in Jane Austen's possession during some of her most prolific periods of writing . It contains rare handwritten musical notations by the celebrated author herself, shedding light on her creative pursuits beyond the written word. The discovery illuminates a lesser-known aspect of Jane Austen's multifaceted genius, proving that her creativity extended far beyond her written works. By exploring the music she enjoyed, we gain a deeper understanding of the influences that shaped her literary voice. Here is a head-spinner… …what is the estimated monetary value? Judging by the recent sale of a first-edition Jane Austen, it could be worth around $481,000 USD. Zoom out: The music boom is the literary equivalent of stumbling upon your favourite author's hidden playlist — connecting us with Austen in a more intimate and musical way. Moreover, this sheds light on the important role of music in the social lives of women in the 18th century, highlighting how music was intertwined with literature. The historical lottery: Keep an eye on your attics and shelves, who knows what musical history you could be housing? TOUR DE HEADLINES Soprano Lee Sang-eun Soprano Lee Sang-eun Dies BackStage — Esteemed Korean soprano Lee Sang-eun was found lifeless minutes before her performance, sparking an ongoing investigation. Despite her sudden departure, authorities have ruled out any malicious intent. | GulfNews ‘Fascinating’ Tippett Letter Reveals Composer Changed by Prison — An intimate 1943 letter penned by British composer Sir Michael Tippett in prison reveals his transformation due to the experience. Biographer Oliver Soden hails the discovery, detailing life as a conscientious objector, as the most significant find related to Tippett in half a century. | The Guardian James Williams: Royal College of Music's New Director — James Williams, Managing Director of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, is set to become the 11th Director of the Royal College of Music in 2024. Williams will succeed Professor Colin Lawson CBE, extending the college's commitment to widening music education access and excellence. | Classical-music.uk Jonas Kaufmann Releases First Single to ‘The Sound of Movies’ — Opera star Jonas Kaufmann teases his upcoming album, "The Sound of Movies," with the release of his first single, "Conquest of Paradise." Set for a September release, the album pays homage to a century of iconic movie tunes. | OperaWire Stradivari's Home Reopens: A Musical Pilgrimage Site — Stradivari's original house and workshop in Italy have been transformed into a learning center for budding luthiers and musicians. The site offers insight into Stradivari's violin crafting process, including the legendary sun-drying method contributing to the instruments' unique resonance. | Forbes India Affinity Quartet Triumphs in 2023 Melbourne Music Competition — The Affinity Quartet clinched the Musica Viva Australia’s 2023 Melbourne International Chamber Music Competition, bagging multiple prizes, including the $30,000 Grand Prize. The competition, a global platform for young musicians, saw spirited performances from talented groups worldwide. | LimeLight Magazine POLITICS Photo courtesy of the XVII International Tchaikovsky Competition War in Ukraine Makes Major Impact on Tchaikovsky CompetitionRussia’s renowned Tchaikovsky Competition has announced winners from a much smaller competition this year. The Tchaikovsky Competition, founded in 1958, is one of classical music’s most prestigious competitions. It began with piano and violin before expanding to include cello, voice and woodwind categories. Held every four years in Moscow and St. Petersburg, it is described as a “landmark of national musical culture.” Enrollments in the competition this year were down over twenty percent, with larger than usual numbers of competitors from Russia and China. What’s going on: As Russia continues to wage war in Ukraine, international competitors poured into Moscow last week, even as the Wagner mercenary group’s armed rebellion edged towards the same city. Most judges were local, with a few notable exceptions. The World Federation of International Music Competitions (WFIMC) expelled the competition from its organization in solidarity with Ukraine. Broadcasts of the competition, usually held on Medici.tv, were also cancelled. Digging deeper: The WFIMC called the competition a promotional tool by the Russian regime, which hoped to make Russians forget the war their country was waging next door. Foreign jurors were accused of supporting Putin on a jury that included the Russian president’s good friend and daughter’s godfather, the cellist Sergei P. Roldugin. Competitors were warned that competing could negatively affect their careers. The winners? A full list can be found here. STREAMING Dutch National Opera, Koenigskinder, 2022. (Photo: Monika Rittershaus) Amazon Prime Adds Classical Content From NaxosNothing says 2023 like ordering groceries and streaming an opera simultaneously. Thanks to Amazon’s recent license deal with Naxos, classical music lovers can now access opera and classical music on Amazon Prime. What’s going on: The classical streaming service, Naxos, has been expanding its digital library to include recent opera productions over the past few years, as well as releasing videos on DVD and Blu-Ray for purchase. These videos will now be available for purchase or rental digitally through Prime Video, Amazon’s video streaming service. Why it matters: Options to watch opera on the small screen have only expanded within recent years. Amazon Prime’s entry into the opera market means it will compete with the Met’s streaming service, Met Opera on Demand, Medici.tv, Deutsche Grammophon’s Stage+, and Arte in Europe. But much like Netflix and other streaming services, none of these options are free. For those looking to save a buck, YouTube still hosts numerous archival opera videos. For the new stuff, fans will have to shell out. QUIZ In French opera houses, what job does the Souffler have?A: Encourage applause B: Ticket taker C: Prompter D: Coat check Scroll down for the answer… AROUND THE WEB 📅 On this day: Toronto-based rapper Drake surpasses The Beatles record of most singles in Billboard Hot One 100 with seven against their five from his album "Scorpion". 👀 Cure boredom: Collection of weird and interesting stuff found in the public domain. 📍 Interesting: A website that tells you what people think about each neighborhood in your city. 📚 Useful: Someone made a website that gives you something to read when you're in the bathroom. 🐾 Aww: This little kitten sees a sunbeam for the first time. INSTRUMENT OF THE WEEK The ZeusaphoneIf Thor played an instrument, the Zeusaphone would be it. It is made from a unique kind of dual-resonant solid-state coil, also known as DRSSTC. Unlike the traditional Tesla coils, this utilizes up-to-date high-power transistors to send electric pulses through the primary coil, bypassing the need for a physical air gap. Since the power toggling operations are regulated electronically, it's possible to input a musical signal and produce melodies within the array of frequencies it can pulse at. It can operate frequencies reaching as high as 900Hz. The spectacular sound we perceive is the result of the spark-like discharges causing the surrounding air to vibrate at musical frequencies! QUIZ ANSWER C: Prompter. — The prompter (or prompt) is a person responsible for prompting or cueing singers when they forget their lines or neglect to move on the stage to where they are supposed to be situated. How did you like today's email? |