No images? Click here August 7, 2023 Canadian company Lighthouse Immersive, celebrated for its Immersive Van Gogh exhibit during the pandemic, has applied for bankruptcy protection. Declining ticket sales due to increased competition and lack of a solid financial team are to blame. +++ In this week’s email:
CLASSICAL CHARTS THE BIG IDEA A Musician’s Guide to Meta’s ThreadsThreads, the new kid on the social block, has released an alternative to Twitter. With attention in short supply for classical music these days, this offers an opportunity for those in classical music to get in on the ground floor. With millions signing up in just a few hours, let's take a closer look at what Threads has to offer. BackgroundThreads is the latest creation from Meta, envisioned as a direct challenger to Twitter. It shares a striking resemblance with Twitter — think short, snappy text posts, likes, and reposts. You can post up to 500 characters and sprinkle in some images, gifs, and videos (up to five minutes long). On the flip side, it currently lacks the ability to search for hashtags or phrases, a notable downside. How to JoinRegistering is straightforward – just use your Instagram login. As of now, it's available in over 100 countries, including the UK and USA. The European launch is pending. Any Issues?Some users have expressed concern about seeing posts from random accounts mixed in with posts from the accounts they're following. Should you join?If Twitter is your jam, the answer is yes. The formula is simple: Engage with audiences, join conversations, and share your event updates. Don’t fret about username security. Meta requires the same Instagram login, which means your username remains intact. Creating Engaging ContentContent is king, and Threads is no exception. Don't confine yourself to just posting event updates or ticket sales. Instead, aim to provide value and foster a social atmosphere. Experiment with various approaches to understand what resonates best with your audience. Why it MattersAs Meta's prodigy, Threads could well be a game-changer in the social media world. With around 400 million classical music listeners worldwide, this new platform could provide a fresh avenue to reach audiences in a dynamic, interactive, and increasingly digital world. It's time to tune in and turn up the engagement. - MV TOUR DE HEADLINES L-R- Cellist Marion Portelance and baritone/administrator Andrew Aldridge named in CBC’s 30 under 30 (Photo via CBC) 30 Hot Canadian Classical Musicians Under 30 — The CBC has an annual summer tradition of introducing you to 30 young musicians burning up Canada's classical scene. The choices are bang on. | CBC Opera Singer David Daniels and His Husband Plead Guilty to Sexual Assault — David Daniels and his husband, Scott Walters, have admitted to sexually assaulting another singer in Houston. Both received an eight-year probation sentence and will register as sex offenders.. | Associated Press Lighthouse Immersive Trims Operations — Toronto-based company Lighthouse Immersive, celebrated for its visual art exhibits, is cutting back operations after applying for creditor protection in Delaware and Ontario. Declining ticket sales due to increased competition and lack of a solid financial team are cited as reasons. | ARTnews 3D-Printed Violin Honors Paganini Legacy — To celebrate its 70th anniversary, Premio Paganini has partnered with 3DiTALY to create a 3D-printed version of the iconic 'Il Cannone' violin, originally owned by Niccolò Paganini. This unique project, which will be officially unveiled in October 2023, aims to rekindle Paganini’s legacy, engage youth, and promote music through technology. | The Strad Renowned Composer Carl Davis Has Died — The esteemed composer Carl Davis, responsible for iconic scores like BBC’s Pride and Prejudice and The French Lieutenant’s Woman, has died at 86. The BAFTA winner, known for his vast contributions to TV, film, and concert hall music, leaves an enduring legacy in the industry. | The Guardian Violinist Who Played During Brain Surgery Reunites With Doctor — A woman who played the violin during her brain surgery has been reunited with the surgeon who removed her tumour. | BBC Meet the Taylor Swift of Classical Music — Anna Lapwood is a one-woman orchestra on a meteoric ascent. | Tatler OPERA Catherine Dallaire, Concertmaster of the Orchestre Symphonique de Québec, performs on a violin bow made from Chemotherapy Patient's hair. Photo: Orchestre Symphonique de Québec Anna Netrebko Sues Metropolitan Opera Following Firing After the Russian InvasionThe famed soprano Anna Netrebko is seeking $360,000 in compensation for breach of contract, defamation, and “severe mental anguish.” What’s up?: Anna Netrebko was scheduled to appear in 40 performances at the Met Opera in the 2024-25 and 2025-26 seasons. She was to receive the Met’s top fee of about $15,000 per performance. Why did they fire her?: Peter Gelb, the Met’s General Manager, alleges that Netrebko is a close friend of Vladimir
Putin’s and never formally denounced the war in Ukraine. She has been photographed holding Russian separatist flags and endorsed Putin for president in 2012. What has this meant for Netrebko?: Netrebko’s lawyers claim that she experienced “depression, humiliation, embarrassment, stress and anxiety, and emotional pain and suffering,” following the breach in contracts. The soprano sold her New York City apartment at a loss and has experienced criticism and firings from other companies, including the Bayerische Staatsoper. Wait, I’m still a Netrebko fan…: Despite the Met’s strong stance, the soprano is scheduled to appear this season at Berlin’s Staatsoper unter den Linden, the Vienna State Opera, Teatro alla Scala and the Paris Opera. - SS ORCHESTRA Andris Nelsons and the Boston Symphony Orchestra on stage at Symphony Hall. (Courtesy Boston Symphony Orchestra) Boston Symphony Orchestra Settles New Labour AgreementThe Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) and its board of directors have settled a 3-year agreement that comes into effect on August 28, 2023. What’s so special about the BSO?: The Boston Symphony Orchestra is one of America’s “Big Five” orchestras, recognized for its calibre of musicality, excellence, as well as job security for its players. Founded in 1881, the organization performs regularly at Boston’s Symphony Hall and in the summers at the renowned Tanglewood Festival. Why the new agreement?: During the Covid-19 pandemic, the 92 BSO musicians experienced a 3-year pause in their wages. This included a 37% average compensation reduction due to cancelled performances, resulting in a base salary of around $120,000 for full-time players. The new agreement “recognizes the financial sacrifices the orchestra made during the pandemic,” BSO board chair Barbara Hostetter, BSO Players Committee Chair Todd Seeber and Boston Musicians Association President Pat Hollenbeck, remarked together in a joint statement. It allows for greater flexibility in scheduling for BSO and Boston Pops performances following the pandemic. How’s everybody feeling?: Hostetter, Seeber and Hollenbeck expressed that the decision is a win for the organization and audiences alike, which will help ensure long-term success and sustainability for the renowned orchestra. - SS QUIZ Carl Maria von Weber's 'Der Freischütz' translates to what in English?A: Mischief Maker B: Honour Guard C: The Horseman D: The Marksman Scroll down for the answer… AROUND THE WEB 📅 On this day: In 1926, George S. Kaufman and Irving Berlin's musical "The Cocoanuts" starring the Marx Brothers closes at the Lyric Theatre, NYC, after 276 performances. 🎲 Games: When an Internet trend meets the Renaissance choral music of William Byrd: Byrdle is born. 🎥 Useful: Can't remember the name of a movie? This tool uses AI to find it. 🫶 Therapeutic: If you ever need someone to talk to, this site is for you. 🦈 Cure Boredom: Track sharks as they swim around the ocean. 🐈 Aww: This cat is cute but dangerous! INSTRUMENT OF THE WEEK Glass ArmonicaEver tried making tunes with a wine glass? That's essentially how the glass armonica operates. Comprising variously sized glass bowls, sounds spring to life as the player glides their fingers over the glass. And guess what? The legendary Benjamin Franklin invented this fascinating instrument. QUIZ ANSWER D: The Marksman How did you like today's email? |