“The company estimates that loss of the Met season, along with previously canceled tour performances — in Chicago, Detroit, Durham, N.C., and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates — will cost it $18 million in revenue.” – The New York Times
Broadway Theatres Will Remain Closed At Least Through June 7
“Even though the [Broadway] League has extended the shut down, many Broadway insiders don’t expect performances to resume until July at the earliest, with some predicting that theaters will stay dark into September. The extended closure will likely mean that more shows that were eyeing limited runs will instead opt not to open at all, a fate that has already befallen the likes of Martin McDonagh’s Hangmen and a revival of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? with Laurie Metcalf.” – Variety
Mahler’s 8th: The antithesis of social distance in a new PhilOrch recording
This Mahler 8th arrives some four years after the live performances, and it signals not only a high-water mark in Nézet-Séguin’s relationship with the orchestra but a certain evolution in the performance practice of the piece itself. – David Patrick Stearns
Small Consolation: Museums’ Hit-&-Miss Attempts to Engage Audiences Via “Virtual Exhibitions”
Too much of museums’ existing online content, now being repurposed, reminds me of “park and bark” — the great opera stars of yesteryear, standing stock-still at center stage and belting out their arias. By contrast, I found much to admire in purpose-built content that some museums managed to put together on the fly. – Lee Rosenbaum
Amsterdam Embraces A New Model For Its Post-COVID Life
“When suddenly we have to care about climate, health, and jobs and housing and care and communities, is there a framework around that can help us with all of that? Yes there is, and it is ready to go.” The central premise is simple: the goal of economic activity should be about meeting the core needs of all but within the means of the planet. The “doughnut” is a device to show what this means in practice. – The Guardian
Australia’s Arts Funder Slashes Grants, Leaving Companies In Shock
The Australia Council for the Arts’ four-year funding program for 2021-24 has reduced the number of organizations included by a quarter, from 128 to 95, and has cut the planned grants for the first of those years by 30%. Because of the current COVID-related shutdowns, the Council is extending for one year funding for current grantees dropped for 2021-24, but even that extension will be cut by 30%. – Limelight (Australia)