Month: June 2006

From Cultural Wars to Cultural Kitsch

June 29, 2006
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In the first half of this installment of ArtsCast, we focus on the cultural wars as experienced through the eyes of Gary Cole, who was on the fast track to become the number three man at the National Endowment for the Arts until his nomination was torpedoed. According to the former Republican activist, GOP powerbrokers…

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Opera Review: Osvaldo Golijov’s “Ainadamar” — Killer Arias

June 27, 2006
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By James Marcus At its best, an opera about the death of Spanish writer Federico Garcia Lorca is a tour-de-force. Ainadamar, an opera by Osvaldo Golijov. (Deutsche Grammophon) For most composers, geography is destiny. Even Schoenberg — whose innovations were supposed to release music not only from its tonal prison but from the local idiom…

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Toons Online

June 24, 2006
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By Danielle Dreilinger Web artists specializing in alternative comics are finding readers and discovering new ways for the arts to profit online.

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Back to Boston

June 23, 2006
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In an op-ed column, Bill Marx pointed out that for major American cities — beset by shrinking revenues, global competition, and the migration of corporate headquarters — tourism is essential. Some cities, such as Philadelphia, understand this but others, such as Boston, are slow learners. You will recall that last week featured a conversation with…

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Film Review: Superflop

June 22, 2006
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“Superman Returns” fails to take off the ground in Warner Brother’s attempt to revive the legendary franchise. Although Brandon Routh believably portrays the Man of Steel, unmistakably similar in his bold facial features and baritone voice to the man (Christopher Reeve) who made the role famous, the predictable plot and too much one-dimensional acting by…

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Tomorrowland Seen Today

June 21, 2006
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Through DVDs, I recently revisited some vividly remembered TV episodes of “Walt Disney Presents” with the “Tomorrowland” theme.

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Book Review: “Mozart and His Operas” — Gift for a God

June 19, 2006
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A worthy present for Mozart on his 250th birthday: an original, sometimes eclectic, and mostly well-written book about the composer and his operas. “Mozart and His Operas” by David Cairns. (University of California Press) By Mark Kroll Mozart mania is back. In fact, it never left and don’t say I didn’t warn you. We are…

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Book Review: Mozart – The Early Years

June 19, 2006
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This year marks the 250th anniversary of Mozart’s birth and just about every classical performing group is paying tribute. Enterprising souls are marketing everything from standard keepsakes to off-the-wall Mozart items. Mozart Salami, anyone? “Mozart: The Early Years, 1756-1781″ by Stanley Sadie. (Norton) By Mary Ann Nichols Among the more erudite celebrations of the event…

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Dance Review: Parisian Sexcapades

June 16, 2006
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The time is right for the revival of ballet about a country mouse who becomes a Parisian courtesan. The Royal Ballet’s production of “Manon,” presented by the Bank of America Celebrity Series and the Wang Center for the Performing Arts. By Debra Cash We’re living in a gilded age when everything and everyone seems to…

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“Udderly” Boston

June 14, 2006
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By Adrienne LaFrance View Gallery BOSTON, Mass.— We’ve seen it before: Hundreds of multi-colored cows descending on cities and towns across the globe. Since 1999, herds have made their way through Chicago, New York, London, Paris, Athens and towns– some of which have plenty of cows already– across Middle America. This summer, a new collection…

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