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NPR Quits Twitter

“At this point I have lost my faith in the decision-making at Twitter,” said NPR CEO John Lansing in an article posted on NPR’s website. “I would need some time to understand whether Twitter can be trusted again.” - Deadline

The Ultimate LA Books

How can we know if nobody reads and, just maybe, resurrects them? Obscurity doesn’t necessarily mean inferiority. - Los Angeles Times

Is This The Most Important Opera Of Our Time?

 “I’m absolutely sure that this is one of the most important works of our time,” says Susanna Mälkki, who conducted that premiere with the London Symphony Orchestra in the pit, and is in London to conduct the Covent Garden dates. - The Guardian

“What Chicago Needs Is A New Opera Company. Make That Two Or Three New Opera Companies.”

Lawrence A. Johnson, founder of the Classical Review network of websites, decries what he sees as the deadly dull state of the art form in the city, especially but not only at Lyric Opera. Then he suggests a few ventures that might bring badly-needed change. - Chicago Classical Review

New Zealand Arts Education Collapsing

A new national report reveals that achievement levels for primary-aged learners in dance, drama, music and visual arts have plunged compared to 2015 scores. - The Big Idea

Young Adults In Upper Egypt Work To Keep The Nubian Language From Vanishing

"In the 1960s, much of Old Nubia was destroyed by the construction of the Aswan High Dam. … Between 50,000 and 130,000 people were forced to move from ancient villages, mostly to … areas where Arabic was spoken. 'Nubians started to dissolve', says Mohamed Sobhy, 'like when you put sugar in water.'" - The Guardian

Citing Its Own WWII Experience, Poland Helps Lead Efforts To Save Ukraine Culture

“It’s equally important to preserve their cultural heritage, because this is their identity,” Kubicki said, “This is how they remain Ukrainians—who they are.” - Forbes

Martin McDonagh Complains That Some Theatres Refuse To Produce His Plays Because They Have Dirty Words

"'Only in the past few years have I had theatre companies refuse to do my plays, because they don't like some of the wording,' McDonagh said. They wanted to make some words 'more palatable to what they think their audience is', he said, despite him being 'an established writer who sells tickets'." - BBC

Missouri House Of Representatives Votes To Eliminate Funding For Public Libraries

Missouri House Republicans voted to defund all of the state’s public libraries, in a proposed $45.6 billion state budget that will soon move to a vote in the GOP-controlled state Senate. - HeartlandSignal

Disappointed By Streaming, Hollywood Is Kissing And Making Up With Movie Theaters

"The exhibition industry is finally looking like its pre-pandemic self again. That's partly attributable to studios releasing new installments of successful franchises, but it is also linked to a shift in attitude among the major media companies when assessing the value of a theatrical release." - Variety

Why Complex Systems Are Weaker Than Simple Networks

Recall the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back. A straw is a very small thing, it weighs almost nothing, but it can bring down a thousand-pound camel. Or consider how small cracks can grow until they eventually destroy the largest structures. That’s how failures occur. - Tablet

British Theatres Discover A New Target Audience: Female Novel-Readers

"(There is) a string of new stage shows based on hit books by female authors that were enjoyed largely by female readers. Waiting in the wings this spring are plays or musicals based on bestsellers that include Hamnet, The Time Traveler's Wife and The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher." - The Observer (UK)

Italy Will Impose Steep Fines On People Who Vandalize Or Damage Cultural Sites

"At a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, the government approved proposed legislation championed by the culture minister that would impose fines starting at €10,000 (nearly $11,000) and as high as €60,000 (about $65,000) … to help pay for the repairs and clean-up." - AP

Sexual Harassment Allegations Rock India’s Top Bharatanatyam School

Students, both female and male, at the Kalakshetra Foundation's Rukmini Devi College of Fine Arts in Chennai have alleged sexual advances by faculty members and claim that the college wouldn't take their complaints seriously until after 200 students went on strike. One professor has been arrested. - BBC

Thirteen Women Accuse Gérard Depardieu, France’s Biggest Film Star, Of On-Set Sexual Misconduct

"The accusations were made by female actors, make-up artists and production staff, some of whom spoke on the basis of anonymity, and allegedly occurred during the filming of 11 films released between 2004 and 2022 … Depardieu (is) already indicted on rape and sexual assault charges in a 2018 case." - Variety

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