totimundi.com Blog

Juan Diego Flórez said, for an article in Spanish at cope.es, that he does not consider himself a great actor, but that he always tries to be one.

Rathbone Hotel
hotels.com

I visited London for a few days earlier this month and stayed at the Rathbone Hotel in Fitzrovia. I was very happy with the hotel’s location. The room was small but clean, quiet, and attractive. There was internet access, but for a fee. Of course, I had to bring my own laptop and an adapter plug. There was a small television with about sixteen channels and four radio channels, but that was quite adequate for me since I was not there to watch television. The bathroom had a shower but no tub. I can remember a time when one would have been more likely to find the reverse. The hotel is a little bit to the south of Goodge Street and is within walking distance of many restaurants and retail stores. I could also walk to the Wigmore Hall and to Covent Garden. The hotel staff were all quite friendly.

The Metropolitan Opera is dropping plans for next season’s revival of John Corigliano’s The Ghosts of Versailles, because of  its cost, according to Variety.

The paper further reports that the production will be replaced with Angela Gheorghiu and Thomas Hampson in a less costly revival of Verdi’s La Traviata, but that all previously announced new productions are scheduled to go on, according to general manager Peter Gelb.

Source:  theatermania.com

Sitorsquat.com has maps that provide the location of public toilets.  The site is not perfect.  They missed a few I can think of, such as the underground men’s room at Lincoln Center in New York.  In my town they miss the facilities at the public library, town hall, and supermarket.  They also list restaurant restrooms, but those aren’t necessarily open to anybody who walks in off the street.

Some thoughts on Doctor Atomic and For You, at johnrpierce.com/blog

Susan Baker says that Michael Kaiser will help City Opera “‘identify new leadership and to craft a plan for the 2009-2010 season.’ Mr. Kaiser has been previously called ‘the turnaround king’ for helping to revive the fortunes of organizations like the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, American Ballet Theater and the Royal Opera House in London.”–Dave Itzkoff, New York Times

There is discussion at parterre.com about an allegation that the Met is planning to excise four productions of those that had been planned for the 2009-2010 season.

New York City Opera has issued a statement that says, in part:

“Last week New York City Opera and General Manager-Designate Gerard Mortier reached a decision to part ways. The economic climate in which we find ourselves today has caused us both to reconsider proceeding with our plans.

“While New York City Opera’s immediate plans have changed, our path and optimism for the future have not. With guidance from Michael Kaiser, one of America’s leading arts management advisors, our board and staff are working energetically to identify new leadership and to craft a practical and comprehensive plan for the 2009-2010 season and beyond—a plan that respects City Opera’s past while initiating a creative and entrepreneurial vision for the future. We remain committed to our core values of innovation, accessibility, the nurturing of young singers and service to our community—values which have defined our company for 65 years. “

Riccardo Muti will not be conducting the Philharmonia Orchestra at Buckingham Palace on Thursday night as part of a party in celebration of the 60th birthday of Prince Charles. He had agreed to coduct but a fortnight ago he pulled out because of what he saw as interference with the program by the Queen and Prince Charles, reports the Daily Mail.

“Fans of classical music are still buying compact discs in big numbers despite an explosion in legal download services.”–sky.com