May 27, 2024

Welcome to Bark Air, where dogs fly in luxury for up to $8,000, proving once and for all that even Fido can have a better travel experience than you!

+++

In this week’s email:

The big idea: Report shows $125M economic boost from orchestra
Orchestral maneuvers: Montreal Symphony hires new CEO
Classical happenings: Members of Calgary Philharmonic fired for offensive comments
Laugh of the week
Around the web: The reverse dictionary, HBO's MoviePass documentary, Aurora pics from the recent solar storm, plus more internet finds.

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

Report Shows $125M Economic Boost From Orchestra

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO) has released an economic impact study revealing a $125M boost to the regional economy. For every dollar spent by the symphony, four dollars are generated locally. This means the orchestra’s $33M budget sustains about 1,900 jobs.

CEO Stefani Pashman highlighted the crucial role arts and culture play in the region’s economy and quality of life. This report is a strategic asset for fundraising efforts amid evolving audience behaviours and inflation pressures.

By the numbers

The PSO generates approximately $125 million in annual economic impact from a combination of patron spend on PSO/Heinz Hall concerts, and the educational and cultural impact of our community collaborations.
For every dollar spent by PSO, there is a $4 return to our community.
PSO attracts more visitors to the Cultural District than all other arts-producing organizations combined.
PSO sustains almost 1900 jobs annually in the Pittsburgh MSA, 7 times our direct employee base.

Why the boost?

The symphony's high regional impact is partly due to its strong educational ties with local universities, which draw students and generate significant tuition revenue. Additionally, attendees contribute to the local economy through spending on gas, dining, and accommodations.

Faced with a structural deficit, the symphony aims to leverage this data to secure more funding. As CEO Melia Tourangeau noted, the orchestra's loss would leave a $100M hole in the city’s economy. Now, with a robust value proposition, the PSO is poised to make its case to potential donors and foundations.

Deeper dive

As reported by Bloomberg, a 2018 study from Nokia Bell Labs linked cultural capital to urban economic growth in New York and London. By analyzing 1.5 million images of cultural spaces from 2007 to 2014, researchers found that culture boosts median income and house prices. Cultural diversity and specialization in areas like performing arts and architecture drive neighbourhood development. However, this growth often leads to gentrification and affordability challenges. The study underscores the need for inclusive cultural and economic development strategies that benefit all urban residents. — MV

TOUR DE HEADLINES

David Chan (Photo courtesy of the artist)

MET concertmaster David Chan takes up conducting role with the Apollo Orchestra — David Chan, the concertmaster of the New York MET Orchestra, has been appointed principal conductor of the Apollo Orchestra, continuing his focus on conducting alongside his other directorial roles and longstanding career as a violinist. | The Strad

Soprano Erika Baikoff Denied Right to Settle in the UK — Soprano Erika Baikoff has been denied the right to settle in the UK because she did not meet the residency requirements of her visa, despite her international career as an opera singer and the challenges posed by the pandemic, prompting her to challenge the decision. | OperaWire

Conductor François-Xavier Roth Faces Sexual Harassment Allegations — Conductor François-Xavier Roth faces sexual harassment allegations for sending inappropriate messages, prompting an investigation and his temporary suspension from his roles with the Gürzenich Orchestra and Cologne Opera. | Violin Channel

The Fashionista Modernism of Yuja Wang — Alex Ross reviews pianist Yuja Wang's recent recital, highlighting her blend of flamboyant fashion and exceptional modernist performance, which challenges traditional expectations and leads audiences out of their comfort zones. | The New Yorker

These Women Were Abused by Their Violin Teacher. Decades Later, They’re Speaking Out Again After His Death — Women who were sexually abused by violin teacher Eric Trachy over two decades in Chatham are speaking out again after his death in November, expressing mixed emotions of anger, relief, and sadness. | CBC

ORCHESTRAL MANEUVERS

Mélanie La Couture Named CEO of the Orchestre symphonique de Montréal (Photo via OSM)

Montreal Symphony Hires New CEO

The Montreal Symphony Orchestra (MSO) announced the appointment of Mélanie La Couture as its next Chief Executive Officer. La Couture begins her appointment in July, succeeding Madeleine Careau.

Driving the news: After 25 years with Madeleine Careau at its helm, the Montreal Symphony Orchestra has a new CEO. In a press release, the Quebec-based orchestra announced that Mélanie La Couture will take the reins from Careau beginning this July. La Couture will work alongside Venezuelan conductor Rafael Payare, Music Director of the MSO since the 2022-2023 season.

Mélanie La Couture is no stranger to the MSO. From 2007-2013, La Couture served as Chief Operating Officer of the company. She holds an MBA from the University of Western Ontario and previously worked at Montreal’s Heart Institute.

Playing catch-up: Mélanie La Couture’s last séjour with the MSO in the early 2010s was a time of vibrancy and excitement for the orchestra, as La Couture worked alongside former MD Kent Nagano. Le Devoir, Montreal’s french language newspaper, reported that the years following La Couture’s 2013 departure were particularly turbulent as many other key players also left the organization.

Fingers’ crossed her appointment ushers in another golden age of stability and artistry for the Montreal Symphony. — SS

CLASSICAL HAPPENINGS

Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra (Photo courtesy of the Calgary Artist Development)

Members of Calgary Philharmonic Fired for Offensive Comments

The principal clarinetist and principal oboist of the Calgary Philharmonic have been removed from their posts following a month-long investigation by the orchestra. The two were fired after posting ‘deeply troubling’ comments online.

What’s up: On Tuesday, the Calgary Philharmonic’s CEO Marc Stevens announced that the orchestra would be taking action following disturbing online comments from principal clarinetist Slavko Popovic and principal oboist Alex Klein. The announcement follows the orchestra’s investigation into screenshots posted on social media of offensive comments against women and Black people made by the two instrumentalists. Popovic and Klein’s chairs are now listed as “to be filled” on the orchestra website.

Digging deeper: Prior to joining the Calgary Philharmonic, the young clarinetist Slavko Popovic attended the Curtis Institute of Music. The Grammy-winning Alex Klein previously played with the Chicago Symphony and has been vocal about his experiences with focal dystonia. The Instagram page @orchestraisracist posted that they first reported Popovic for problematic remarks to the Calgary Philharmonic in 2020.

The oboist Katherine Needleman, an advocate in the classical music industry, recently posted screenshots from the pair of her own. Needleman’s Facebook page as well as sections of her website have been dedicated to exposing misconduct by classical musicians in recent months, as well as systemic inequities promoted by major classical music organizations.

The Calgary Philharmonic’s actions against Klein and Popovic help to set a much-needed precedent within the classical music industry. There are consequences for harmful behaviour, no matter how beautifully you play. — SS

GAMES

Nothing says Monday like a mini-crossword .

AROUND THE WEB

📅 On this day: Niccolò Paganini died, 1840.

🌞 Amazing: Photos of auroras from the recent solar storm.

🎞️ Interesting: This documentary offers a revealing look at MoviePass’s downfall.

📖 Useful: Looking for the perfect word? Try the reverse dictionary.

🦙 Awww: This Llama is distinguished.

LAUGH OF THE WEEK

How did you like today's email?

Today's email was brought to you by Sara Schabas and Michael "Reverse Dictionary" Vincent.

CONTACT US