BACKIn today’s news: the lack of interest in opera, British Airways criticised by musicians again, Coventry to be UK City of Culture 2021. Also, Apple intends to buy Shazam, clarinet is the less hygienic instrument and Thomas Hengelbrock leaves Elbphilarmonie.
The Telegraph
Opera isn’t for everyone – and what’s wrong with that?
As if the opera business wasn’t already in enough of a stew, along comes a survey commissioned by Classic FM. Its findings are discouraging: half the respondents couldn’t name a single opera singer and only one in five recognised a photograph of Pavarotti.
The Sun
British Airways ‘force musicians to pay £280 each to fly their instruments to Jersey for a gig’
Violinist Rita Manning was travelling to a gig with her group Lorcian Ensemble when staff told them to put their precious instruments in the hold.
Classical Music
Coventry to be UK City of Culture 2021
Coventry has been selected as the UK’s City of Culture for 2021, beating Paisley, Sunderland, Stoke and Swansea to the title.
Audio pioneer’s estate makes major gift to University of Cambridge
The estate of Ray Dolby, founder of the audio company bearing his name, has presented the University of Cambridge with £85m.
Pocket-lint
Apple to buy music recognition app Shazam for $400 million
Apple is said to be looking at acquiring Shazam, one of the most popular apps for recognising music, TV shows, films and adverts, with an official deal potentially being announced later today.
The New York Times
James Levine Will Not Face Criminal Charges in Illinois
Law enforcement officials in Illinois said Friday that they would not bring criminal charges against the famed Metropolitan Opera conductor James Levine, noting that the man accusing Mr. Levine of sexual abuse there three decades ago had been 16 at the time — which was then the age of consent.
Limelight
The clarinet is the dirtiest instrument in the band
Which instrument is the dirtiest in the band? A study has shown that it’s the clarinet that tends to harbour the most bacteria and fungi.
Zeit Online
Dirigent der Elbphilharmonie geht im Streit
Der Chefdirigent Thomas Hengelbrock verlässt das Haus im Sommer 2018. Kann sein New Yorker Nachfolger Alan Gilbert schon ein Jahr früher als geplant einspringen?
Klassik.com
Gabriele Ferro gewinnt Bonner Beethoven-Klavierwettbewerb
Der Italiener Gabriele Ferro hat beim diesjährigen Beethoven-Klavierwettbewerb Bonn den ersten Preis gewonnen. Der erste Platz ist mit 30.000 Euro dotiert.
Bayerischer Rundfunk rudert zurück: Kein Wellentausch von BR Klassik und Jugendsender
Damit wandert der Klassiksender nicht, wie ursprünglich vorgesehen, in das Digitalangebot DAB+, sondern ist weiterhin über UKW zu empfangen.
France Musique
Julie Fuchs et Gautier Capuçon : leur hommage musical à Johnny Hallyday
La soprano Julie Fuchs et le violoncelliste Gautier Capuçon ont interprété l’Ave Maria de Schubert lors des funérailles de Johnny Hallyday samedi 9 décembre à l’église de la Madeleine.
