Stories

Canadian Jazz Icon Oliver Jones, 91

The Little Burgundy legend received numerous honours in his illustrious career. Among his accolades are numerous Juno and Félix awards. Jones was also appointed an officer of the Order of Canada in 1993 and awarded the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award in 2005. - Montreal Gazette

The Problem Behind The Opera Problem

 If we cannot even agree that classical music is indeed obscure to most people, how can we understand the current state of affairs so that we might do something about it? - San Francisco Classical Voice

Russia’s Most Famous Medieval Icon Has Suffered Exactly The Damage Conservators Warned About

In 2023, on Putin’s personal orders, the 15th-century icon of the Trinity by Andrei Rublev, Russia's most revered icon painter, was moved from Moscow's Tretyakov Gallery and is now at the Trinity-St. Sergius Monastery. Conservators said that, without museum-quality climate controls, the piece could be severely damaged. Well, guess what's happened. - Meduza (Moscow/Riga)

Why Italianness Is A State Of Mind

Descendants of Italian migrants generally express an intense pride in their heritage, and many continue to live by its sociocultural tenets in spite of decades, or more, of absence. It is as if time away from Italy, and geographical distance, only amplify a yearning for it. - Aeon

Study: Why Our Brains Mix Up Memories

Scientists already know that confusing memories happens more often than forgetting them altogether. What’s less clear is how the brain gets confused. - The Conversation

Is It Time To Privatize The Smithsonian?

The surest way for the Smithsonian to free itself from the unwanted attentions of the current administration or any future one would be to adopt a business model that doesn’t involve government funding. - The Wall Street Journal

Science Videos Have Become Big Hits On YouTube

“YouTube ... has evolved into a home for sophisticated STEM programming that can attract audiences in the tens of millions. They're the type of programs traditional media companies used to produce, but now individual creators have taken the baton.” - TheWrap (MSN)

Author Annie Dillard Is Dead At 81

“With the publication of Pilgrim at Tinker Creek in 1974, Ms. Dillard, just 28, was recognized as a major new voice in American letters. … In the years to come, she would publish essays, meditations on religion, poems, a theory of literature, two novels, journalism, (and) a best-selling autobiography.” - The New York Times

San Francisco Opera Cancels More Performances As Orchestra Strike Continues

“San Francisco Opera has canceled all performances through Sunday, Sept. 20, as its orchestra musicians remain on strike, putting the opening stretch of the company's 2026-27 season on hold.” - San Francisco Chronicle (MSN)

Former Assistant Conductor Sues Rochester Philharmonic And Eastman School

Jherrard Hardeman says he got two years of high praise from management; then, last September, he was abruptly told by the CEO to resign and Eastman barred him from its premises. Only later, he says, did he hear “rumors” accusing him of inappropriate conduct with minors, a charge he strongly denies. - WROC (Rochester)

Louvre Looks To Asia For Donors To Help Fund Its Very Expensive Renovation

The overhaul, badly needed to ease overcrowding, remedy deferred maintenance, and improve security, is expected to cost well over €1 billion (US$1.2 billion). Christophe Leribault, who became the museum's director in February, went to Tokyo and Hong Kong to talk about the necessity of the project. - South China Morning Post (Hong Kong)

Barnes & Noble Buys Another Distressed Indie Bookseller

Joseph-Beth Booksellers, which has two locations in metro Cincinnati, is the third independent retail business that B&N has acquired in three years. The chain bought Denver’s Tattered Cover in 2024 and the Bay Area's Books Inc. last year; both companies had filed for bankruptcy. - Publishers Weekly

Unions At The Whitney, Brooklyn Museum, And American Folk Art Museum Vote To Strike

“In a statement on behalf of the unionized staff, Local 2110 UAW said all three museums must raise their minimum pay rates, noting that average wages for their staff fall below … the minimum required for a single adult to afford to live in New York City.” - ARTnews

Ed Sheeran Tour In Shambles After Supporting Musicians Pull Out After Macklemore Ouster

Finneas was slated to open for Sheeran on six South American dates in late November and early December. In a post on social media, he announced his decision to drop out after Macklemore was kicked off the tour on Monday. - Variety

Trump Calls In To Kennedy Center Board Meeting, Rants, And Board Votes To Shut Down Indefinitely

An unnamed board member described Trump’s phone call as “fucking crazy” to CNN, while another source told the news outlet that Trump screamed throughout the call. - The New Republic

Our Free Newsletter

Join our 30,000 subscribers

Latest

Don't Miss