Les feux d’artifice s’approchent
![Based on an original photo by Clive Barda]](http://parterre.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/prima_donna_nyco.jpg "Based on an original photo by Clive Barda]")
According to the always reliable Zachary Woolfe, among the beans spilled at the NYCO “Koch” Gala last night was the strong suggestion (from no less than Rufus Wainwright himself) that a production of Prima Donna is planned for an upcoming George Steel-planned season. [New York Observer]
Was this ever really a question? Why else would we have to sit through three hours of mediocrity vis-a-vis Wainwright’s “That’s Enteritainment.” Ugh, three minutes of my life I’ll never get back.
Wasn’t too impressed by “Prima Donna” either. It was a kitschy take on Lorin Mazzal’s music.
^ I meant three minutes.
I think I know what you really meant – it just felt like three hours.
Damn it! I meant Maazel!
RANDY DANDY -- Herodias returning from the NYCO Gala
Herod seems to be really expressing ‘let go of my trouser wrench’! As for the wobbles of that supposed Salome….do people really pay good money to dress up to hear such high levels of shit?
Koch comes off as a real putz in the article.
“I have mixed feelings [about public arts funding],” Mr. Koch said. “Of course the money is very welcome, and it helps the performing arts spend more money and do more things. But I tend to think that should be supported by private contributions rather than taxpayers’ money.”
Ok, embedding doesn’t work.
Maury (and all): For a refresher on embedding video, see http://parterre.com/housekeeping-tips-and-tricks
#6: How is he a putz? Even if you don’t agree with his position, that statement isn’t stupid or rude or anything like that. That is the typical conservative stance on arts funding, and though it hurts me to say it, I think it may be right. But anyway, there is relatively little funding for the arts in America, compared to Germany, say. Subsidation is what makes all those atrocious regie disasters possible. US opera houses are under pressure to listen to their public and give them what they want, which is as it should be. On the other hand, non-profit organizations should be helped out to a degree, because they benefit us.
I agree that it is typical, but I for one would welcome more funding from the government and thus more risks in production. Tired of stodgy, old-fashioned productions just to keep the privileged rich and few happy.
I have to agree with Noel Dahling – the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, but Europe has a big problem with its “official” art. Especially in a place like germany where the official position is to be self-deprecating and self-chastising (for certain past political and cultural wrongs) and thus the art which is funded by the state (that is to say, all of it! because no other system exists) tends toward the extremely political or the culturally trendy rather than originating from a personal, aesthetic motive.
The Met gets some measly (less than 15% I think) portion of its mammoth annual budget from private contributions, and while the artistic qualities may be somewhat muted, I wouldn’t say they have been largely directed by the political leanings of the givers.