Stories

Soprano Anny Schlemm, Who Went From Operetta And Mozart To Wagner And Strauss, Has Died At 97

“One of the most distinctive features of Schlemm’s career” — which ran from the 1940s to the 1990s — “was the evolution of her voice and repertoire. Having begun with lyric soprano roles, she gradually moved into dramatic soprano and mezzo-soprano territory, while becoming particularly admired for her abilities as a singing actress.” - Moto Perpetuo

Heist Of Spanish Museum’s Bronze Age Gold Took Four Minutes

The raid on Thursday morning of the 66 mostly gold objects in the Spanish town of Villena lasted just minutes, officials said. - The Guardian

A Turning Point In The Battles Over AI Writing

“Many contributors, especially prominent politicians or CEOs, employ speechwriters or hire a Beltway writing shop,” he wrote. “How different is that from using AI to streamline an essay?” - The Atlantic

Why Andy Warhol Couldn’t Get Dolly Right

Parton’s astuteness may have extended to art, if it’s true she was disappointed by her Warhol portrait. - The New York Times

After All This, Emily Wilson Is Retranslating The Odyssey From Scratch

“She says her translation methods have become more sophisticated and that enough time has passed for her to see some flaws in her work. … The new edition will be longer, she says, and will better reflect the differing social worlds of Homer’s poem.” - AP

Today In European Museum Robberies: 200-Carat Diamond Necklace Stolen In Vienna

The platinum necklace with 673 diamonds, originally made for Egypt’s royal family and reportedly worth more than $4 million, was taken in a smash-and-grab at Vienna’s Museum of Applied Arts. But at least the thieves paid for their tickets. - AFP (Yahoo!)

CEO Of Sydney’s Huge New Museum Resigns Just Ten Weeks Before Opening Day

“In what came as a bolt from the blue to many, Powerhouse Parramatta staff were told on Thursday afternoon that chief executive Lisa Havilah would stand aside while an investigation (by the New South Wales state government) into governance and procurement practices at the museum is completed.” - Limelight (Australia)

Political Issues Got Messy At The Cannes And Berlin Film Festivals. Will The Same Thing Happen At Venice?

Well, the foundation running the film festival is the same one that runs the art Biennale, and look what happened there … - Variety

San Francisco Opera Orchestra Threatens To Strike On Opening Night

“We are writing to let you know,” said AFM Local 6 in a statement, “that the musicians of the San Francisco Opera Orchestra will not be able to perform on Opening Night, September 12, unless management has reached a fair contract with us before then.” - San Francisco Chronicle (Yahoo!)

$97 Million Rembrandt Temporarily Blocked From Leaving UK

“Portrait of Catrina Hooghsaet (1657) is ‘one of the artist’s most exceptional later works’ says the government. The painting, which (is valued at £71 million and) has been in the UK since the mid-18th century, was sold at Christie’s in a private sale last year.” - The Art Newspaper

Judge To Kennedy Center Board: Why Did You Vote To Put Trump’s Name On The Building Right After I Ordered You Not To?

“A judge on Thursday expressed skepticism about the Kennedy Center’s intention to return President Donald Trump’s name to the historic performing arts venue by early next month, challenging the board’s insistence on moving forward even in the face of a court ruling that blocked and reversed a previous effort.” - AP

The Rise And Fall Of Columbia House And Its Odd Business Model (Eight Records For A Penny!)

“It was an innovation with a carrot and a stick for the artists who benefited from the extra exposure. ... But the offering also came with a carrot for consumers … and the corresponding stick was particularly ugly.” - Tedium

Study: To Get Employees to Use a Benefit, Make Signing Up a Little Harder

In some cases, you need to make it (ever-so-slightly) harder for people to sign up for the program to help them feel like it’s worth the effort, suggests research forthcoming in Management Science. - Harvard Business Review

Where’s The Evidence That Colleges Are Committed To Teaching Writing?

AI has both clarified what we should be doing when we teach writing and made it much harder to teach writing than in the days prior to the technology’s existence. - InsideHigherEd

Dudamel Says Goodbye With Four-Night Hollywood Bowl Extravaganza

In many ways, YOLA was the glory of the “¡Bienvenido Gustavo!” Bowl program 17 years ago, and it proved even more so for the goodbye Gustavo, or more accurately “hasta pronto,” see you soon. - Los Angeles Times

Our Free Newsletter

Join our 30,000 subscribers

Latest

Don't Miss