Performing is a curious business. It regularly throws up conundrums and contradictions and one of those is the phenomenon of memory. Dancers develop their muscle memory from hours of rehearsal and cues from the accompaniment; memorising lines is implicit in being an actor. Solo instrumentalists almost always perform from memory. All opera singers work from memory, yet…
So Silvio Berlusconi has finally stepped down. Recently, Alex Ross wrote about the indifference of the Berlusconi government to supporting the arts in Italy. (1) Ross also makes reference to the unprecedented action by Riccardo Muti, conducting Nabucco halted the performance and spoke to the audience about the situation. The response from both the chorus and the…
The Australian pianist Roger Woodward has been awarded the Medal for Merit to Culture, Gloria Artis, gold category, by the Polish government – the highest award for contribution to Polish culture. This is Wooward’s fourth award for his services to Polish culture. Roger Woodward’s interpretation of the music of Chopin, his promotion of Polish culture, his services to…