Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

When it comes to fruits, meats and vegetables, we're increasingly believing it's better not to truck in superstar carrots or overachieving fruit from far away, but to munch happily upon that which is locally raised or grown. So should this rule apply to the arts? Should cultural institutions — organic and homegrown as so many of them are — strive to hire local for their creative leadership?

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

When the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-il, traveled to China by armored train in early May, his visit was so shrouded in secrecy that domestic and global media were forced to speculate on its duration, its purpose — even if it were really taking place.

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Performers from Ash Lawn Opera's Don Giovanni and Brigadoon gave Whole Foods shoppers in Albemarle County quite a surprise. The singers, dressed as Whole Foods workers, broke out in song during a flash performance in the produce section Thursday afternoon.

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The Washington National Opera, facing financial challenges and questions about its future, is exploring a merger with the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, according to a person familiar with the matter. The arrangement under consideration would mimic the Kennedy Center's relationship with the National Symphony Orchestra, the person said. The center would assume the opera's assets and liabilities, and the opera would cede to the center approval on artistic and budgetary matters. Merger discussions began around March, the person said.

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

By now, nobody in Philadelphia should be surprised that conductor Donald Nally is making a hard-to-explain departure: Lyric Opera of Chicago is expected to announce this week that chorus master Nally is leaving at the end of the 2010-11 season to spend more time with his Philadelphia choir, The Crossing.

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Not that there really is much comfort in knowing that other people are suffering the same fate, but news from the musicians of the Detroit Symphony speaks to the continuing stress of the economic downturn and its effect here in Baltimore. Of course, the city of Detroit has been in trouble for a long time, so a lot of folks have wondered how the resident orchestra could maintain its position for the long haul.

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

This is reality opera. No TV cameras. No commercials. "If you don't completely, completely, completely love it and are totally committed to doing what you love, the work will crush you," is the way Andy Dwan summed it up. Dwan and 15 other students are getting a real crash course in their art at the Pacific Opera Institute, a summer program that opened its fourth year Sunday at University of the Pacific and continues through Aug. 14 at the Bear Valley Music Festival.

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Slacks Creek State School had a visit from outer space on Wednesday when Opera Queensland’s Space Encounters landed at the school. Space Encounters is a 50-minute fully-staged opera featuring three artists performing to live piano accompaniment.

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

When a well-known philanthropist dies, accolades tend to flow in quickly. Former colleagues and beneficiaries bring tales of humility and timely generosity. It is almost a staple of death when a person has reached the upper rungs of charitable giving. But reaction was more subdued after last week's death of retired businessman Doyle McClendon, whose lavish — and usually anonymous — contributions underwrote concerts and helped keep art museums afloat.

Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT

The gilded performance halls, the tuxedos, the mink coats — for many people, images of opera remain stuck in the 1950s. While that world may stay intact in some parts of the arts world, Boston’s Lyric Opera is trying to change the way we interact with their performances. Our guests discuss about accessibility, performance in HD and the future of opera in Boston.