The lasting memory
An intriguing feature on how music is remembered when other aspects of memory are impaired. http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/music/musicians-memories-wiped-except-for-notes-of-harmony-20111114-1nfid.html
Notes on memory
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…
The day opera sent a message to the government
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…