PEOPLE

Beloved Tenor Limmie Pulliam, 51

His return became one of the most remarkable late-career success stories in American opera. As his voice matured into a true dramatic tenor, Pulliam emerged as a sought-after interpreter of Verdi and other heavyweight repertoire. - Moto Perpetuo

Michael Pennington, One Of Britain’s Great Classical Stage Actors, Is Dead At 82

“Over the years with the RSC, the English Shakespeare Company” — which he co-founded — “and beyond, Pennington played most of the leading roles in the canon; … his stage career looked like ‘he drew up a list of the juiciest roles in the classical repertoire and methodically set about ticking them off’.” - The Times (UK)

The Man Who Invented Dinner Theater, William Pullinsi, Has Died At 86

“The founding artistic director of the Candlelight Dinner Playhouse in southwest suburban (Chicagoland), (he was) widely regarded as the founder of dinner theater in America.” - Chicago Tribune (Yahoo!)

French Actor/Singer Patrick Bruel Faces Rape Allegations In Two Countries

Bruel, 67, who has had a string of top-selling albums and appeared in more than 40 films, is under investigation by the Paris prosecutor’s office for at least four complaints of sexual assault in France and by Belgian authorities for an additional alleged attack in Brussels. - The Guardian

For The Second Time, A Mistrial In Harvey Weinstein’s New York Rape Case

This was the third time the disgraced producer was prosecuted in Manhattan for his alleged assault of Jessica Mann in 2013. (The initial verdict, a conviction, was overturned on appeal.) This time, the jury deadlocked, with 9 of the 12 jurors reportedly leaning toward acquittal. - AP

Soprano Felicity Lott Dead At 79

The much-loved singer, admired equally for opera and concerts, passed away two days after she publicly revealed her terminal cancer diagnosis. - The Guardian

Documentary Filmmaker Brian Lindstrom Has Died At 65

“Lindstrom, until the end of his life, was committed to portraying stories of trauma overcome. Though he possessed an exceptional grasp of cinema’s tools from cinematography to editing, Lindstrom’s greatest artistic gift was his blend of empathy and curiosity.” - Oregon ArtsWatch

Newly Discovered Portraits of Cy Twombly Add Texture To The Life Of The Artist And The Photographer, His Wife

The Twomblys’ granddaughter, Maia, discovered the negatives - and she has a new appreciation of the photographer: “I remember her now not as an 80-year-old woman, but as a 30-year-old. It’s like she is no longer my grandmother but my friend.” - The New York Times

Trial Begins For Murder Of Art Dealer Brent Sikkema, Allegedly By Order Of His Husband

“The estranged husband of a prominent New York City art dealer said he wished his spouse was dead before the co-owner of a contemporary art gallery was found stabbed to death in his Brazilian townhouse, a witness testified Tuesday as a murder-for-hire trial got underway in Manhattan.” - AP

Claudine Longet — Singer, Actress, Notorious Criminal Defendant — Has Died At 84

“The French-born singer, actress and ex-wife of Andy Williams was at the center of a scandalous 1976 trial and media circus after she fatally shot her boyfriend, Olympic skier Spider Sabich.” - The Hollywood Reporter

Georgian Government Sentences Renowned Opera Singer-Turned Opposition Leader To Seven Years In Prison

Paata Burchuladze, who had a very successful career as a bass before returning home to participate in the struggle against an increasingly authoritarian government, was convicted of “organization and leadership of group violence,” and “incitement to change the constitutional order of Georgia through violence” for organizing a large election-day protest last October. - OperaWire

Harvey Weinstein Is On His Third Trial For This Rape Case — And This Time Nobody’s Paying Much Attention

The disgraced movie mogul was first tried for the alleged assault of Jessica Mann in 2020; he was convicted of third-degree rape, but the verdict was overturned in 2024 over prosecutors' missteps. Weinstein’s 2025 retrial had a hung jury, and the current retrial is drawing little interest from media or spectators. - Vulture (MSN)

Two Women Who Shaped Houston’s Art Scene For Decades

Maybe these two weren’t wildcatters or captains of industry, but their contributions to the cultural life of Houston and its global reputation as a destination for the arts are significant. - Texas Monthly

Critic Rex Reed, 87

“Reed’s reviews, as well as his stylishly written profiles of Hollywood and Broadway stars …, moved beyond the bland and laudatory, offering candid and penetrating portraits of artists and celebrities that stand out in an era where A-listers are (more protected). … His writing often moved beyond the incisive into the offensive.” - Variety

Denyce Graves’ Opera Afterlife

Graves is a perfect avatar of everything the Trump administration seeks to eradicate, a fact that gave her swan song an even more sentimental air. - The Atlantic

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