September 18, 2023

A Vermont robbery suspect who eluded arrest by vehicle, stolen bike, on foot, and in a stolen sailboat was finally apprehended last week after being spotted on a kayak.

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In this week’s email:

The big idea: Royal Philharmonic survey: audiences want change
Orchestra: New York Philharmonic receives $40M donation
Opera: Met Opera commissions opera about abducted Ukrainian children
Photo of the week
Around the web: Follow Johnny Cash everywhere, the universe in perspective, the natural colour of carrots, plus more curious internet finds.

BILLBOARD CLASSICAL MUSIC CHARTS

THE BIG IDEA

Royal Philharmonic Survey: Audiences Want Change

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra's (RPO) recent survey shows that 76% of respondents favour a more modernized orchestral concert experience. Key findings suggest preferences for shorter concerts, pre-concert digital programs, and a more relaxed dress code.

Survey highlights:

Shorter Concerts: 27% of participants would like briefer, more concise performances.
Pre-concert Digital Programs: 27% hope for informational material accessible before the concert to deepen their understanding.
Matinee Shows: 24% expressed an inclination for daytime performances.
Casual Dress Code: 24% of respondents feel more comfortable without the pressure of dressing up.
Conductor Interaction: A notable 20% appreciate when the conductor engages with the audience pre-performance.

The survey indicates a promising rise in the number of people wanting to experience orchestral concerts. Compared to the 2018 data, where 79% showed interest, the figure now stands at an encouraging 84%.

The 2023 BBC Proms was notably successful, registering ticket sales surpassing pre-Covid times with 350,000 attendees across its eight-week duration.

Breakdown by Audience Type:

Veteran Fans: A significant 91% of this group expressed their desire for more openness and accessibility. They favoured daytime concerts (34%) and opportunities to engage with soloists or orchestra members (27%).
Music Students: This younger demographic exhibits a strong inclination towards technological integration. 28% are keen on engaging on social media during concerts. They also expressed interest in photographing (21%) and applauding at unconventional times (19%).
Orchestral Newcomers: This group valued having access to digital programs (37%) before concerts and also showed a penchant for relaxed dress codes (37%) and one-hour concerts (31%).
Traditions: Interestingly, only 6% thought about modifying the formal dress code for performers.

RPO's Take: Huw Davies, RPO's deputy managing director, provided insight into the motivation behind the survey. He articulated the organization's intent to gauge audience perceptions to enhance the concert-going experience. "The feedback underscores the diverse needs and preferences of the audience based on their journey with orchestral music. At RPO, we're progressing in many of these directions, striving to make orchestral music accessible to a wider audience."

Why this matters: The classical music realm is on the brink of transformation, with indications towards a broader, more inclusive, and diverse audience. As orchestras like the RPO aim to adapt and cater to these shifting paradigms, the evolution promises a more accessible and rich concert experience for all aficionados.

TOUR DE HEADLINES

Anna Netrebko at the Romy Film Awards (Hofburg Imperial Palace in Vienna) (Photo: Manfred Werner/Wikipedia)

Protesters Enraged as Berlin State Opera Lifts Ban on Russian-Born Soprano — Berlin State Opera reinstates Russian-born soprano Anna Netrebko for Verdi's Macbeth performances despite protests over her perceived Kremlin ties. Critics, including Ukrainian refugees and cultural figureheads, demand performance cancellations, highlighting past associations with Putin. | The Guardian

Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony Cancels Season Abruptly — The Canadian classical music world is in shock this morning over news from Kitchener-Waterloo, where the KW Symphony has cancelled their entire season. | Ludwig van Toronto

Opéra National de Paris Announces First-Ever Youth Orchestra — Opéra National de Paris, partnering with 11 conservatories, introduces ADO, a tuition-free lyrical youth orchestra for students aged 12-18. Participants will train, explore operatic and ballet repertoires, culminating in a performance at Opéra Bastille in 2024. | OperaWire

Anna Clyne appointed Composer in Association of the BBC Philharmonic — Anna Clyne becomes Composer in Association with the BBC Philharmonic, debuting with "Glasslands" featuring saxophonist Jess Gillam on 5 October. Clyne's collaboration builds on previous endeavors and she'll hold the position until 2026. | BBC

Chandos to Release World Premiere Recording of Oklahoma! — Chandos Records will release the complete original score of Rodgers & Hammerstein's "Oklahoma!" performed by Sinfonia of London on 15 September. The release commemorates the musical's 80th anniversary, with the orchestra led by John Wilson. | Classical-Music.uk

Lyric Opera of Chicago Launches SoundShirt Technology — The Lyric Opera Of Chicago introduces SoundShirt, letting deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences physically experience live music through touch sensations. Developed by CuteCircuit, this innovative technology converts music into tactile vibrations, offering a unique multisensory experience during opera performances. | The Violin Channel

How Video Games Like 'Starfield' Are Creating a New Generation of Classical Music Fans — "Starfield," one of the most awaited games, showcases a compelling symphonic soundtrack that bridges the divide between classical music and modern audiences. As the gaming industry evolves, games like "Starfield" highlight how video game music, deeply rooted in classical traditions, introduces a new generation to the beauty and depth of orchestral compositions. | The Conversation

ORCHESTRA

Photo courtesy of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra

New York Philharmonic Receives $40M Donation

The donation is the largest of its kind in the company’s history.

Oscar L. Tang, the New York Philharmonic’s chairman, and his wife, art historian and archaeologist Dr. H.M. Agnes Hsu-Tang, donated $40 million to endow a chair for Gustavo Dudamel. Dudamel becomes Music Director Designate in 2025 and Music Director of the Philharmonic in the 2026/27 season.

The Why

Oscar and Agnes Hsu-Tang described coming to New York City during the Golden Age of the New York Philharmonic under Leonard Bernstein. The Hsu-Tangs believe Dudamel, along with the new President and CEO Gary Ginstling, will take the orchestra into another Golden Age.

Gary Ginstling joined the New York Philharmonic as CEO in July 2023 after a strong history of fundraising, increasing ticket sales, and forming relationships with communities during his work with the National Symphony Orchestra. The superstar Venezuelan conductor Gustavo Dudamel is well-known for his work bringing classical music to underserved communities as well as his excellence on the podium.

Another golden age for the NYPhil? Let’s see how things play out.

OPERA

(Photo: Jonathan Tichler / Met Opera)

Met Opera Commissions Opera About Abducted Ukrainian Children

72 Ukrainian composers applied for the commission organized by Peter Gelb.

Maxim Kolomiiets and librettist George Brant were selected to write an opera for the Met focusing on the heroism of Ukrainian mothers during the Russian invasion. Ukrainian mothers reportedly travel over 3000 miles to rescue their children who have been forcibly detained by the Russian army.

The Creators

Maxim Kolomiiets (1981-) originates in Kyiv and trained as both an oboist and a composer. This commission will be his third opera and his first collaboration with the playwright George Brant. An operatic adaptation of Brant’s play Grounded with music by Jeanine Tesori will premiere at the Kennedy Centre next month starring the Italian-Canadian mezzo-soprano Emily D’Angelo.

The Genesis

Met General Director Peter Gelb organized the project with the Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska last fall. It comes after the Met’s previous support of the war effort, including its support of the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra, mounting of Ukrainian Relief Concerts, and its cutting of ties with Putin-supporting artists.

The Met’s season kicks off in a couple of weeks with the company premiere of another politically charged contemporary work — Jake Heggie’s Dead Man Walking.

QUIZ

Which Italian term denotes an instrumental composition intended to be performed "between" two other musical or theatrical pieces, even though it can occasionally stand alone?

A: Partita

B: Passacaglia

C: Chaconne

D: Intermezzo

Scroll down for the answer…

AROUND THE WEB

📅 On this day: American musician Jimi Hendrix died of an overdose in London.

📖 Useful: Learning a new language can be tough. This free app aims to make that easier with synchronized translations and audiobooks.

🎶 Cure Boredom: Johnny Cash has been EVERYWHERE!

🌌 Interesting: This website puts the scale of the universe in perspective.

🥕 Little-known Fact: Carrots were originally purple, not orange. Here’s why.

🐈‍⬛ Aww: This cat’s reaction to salad.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

Dame Joan Sutherland and Luciano Pavarotti living their best lives by the pool at Bonynge’s beachfront home in Sydney, January 1983.

QUIZ ANSWER

D: Intermezzo

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Today's email was brought to you by Sara "Veteran fan" Schabas and Michael "Short concert" Vincent.

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