As of August 18, all of the ESO's concerts are available for purchase as individual performances (as opposed to purchasing a subscription package). It's what we call the "single ticket on-sale day", and for me it has always signaled that the end of summer is approaching. Sad, yes, but it also means that a new season of concerts is almost here, and that's always a bit exciting! It also marks the point at which we as a marketing department begin to really focus on the individual performances and the full reality hits that we've got over fifty different shows to think about.
And there are already changes! Our gala fundraiser was rescheduled for two weeks later, and we've adjusted the performer's roster for our first set of Masters performances on September 18 & 19. The reasons for both of these essentially boil down to scheduling difficulties. And sadly, conductor Erich Kunzel has had to pull out of his engagement with the ESO on January 29 & 30, 2010. He's currently undergoing treatments for cancer and has been advised not to travel. Steven Reineke, who some might call Kunzel's protege, will conduct instead. These things happen every year - after all, getting highly sought-after musicians together in the same place and time is tricky at best.
Monday, August 24, 2009
50 different performances
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Bernstein and the F.B.I. (via Alex Ross)
This is one of the most fascinating things I've read in a long time, a look at the FBI's interest in Leonard Bernstein, as written by Alex Ross for the New Yorker:
Bernstein and the F.B.I.
It includes FBI documents, memos, Nixon tapes - like I said, fascinating!
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Wednesday, August 5, 2009
See It to Believe It
I've heard of instrument-playing robots. Actually... correction. I've seen and heard, live in person, a trumpet-playing robot. I even have a picture to prove it!
While in Washington, D.C. last spring I paid a visit to the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. At the time, they were showcasing an all encompassing exhibit on how ancient Japanese traditions are being layered with modern sensibility and technological innovation to create culture. This included the wizardry of robots. Instrument-playing robots. A pretty intriguing sight, I have to admit.
Recently I came across this video, wherein robotic instruments perform George Antheil's infamous piece, Ballet Mécanique. Fascinating, with a hint of creepiness at the same time. Is this the future of orchestras? A consideration for pre-concert lobby entertainment? I'm not fully convinced... yet. Perhaps I'll just have to see it in person first, to really truly believe it... and accept it!
See It to Believe It