This Month
Developer to display Baker’s music trove after paying $314k
Amateur drummer Paul Lambess has already rejected requests to sell parts of journalist Glenn A. Baker’s 80,000 records and CDs.
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra rejects pianist’s claim for compensation
The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra’s fight with a pianist it cancelled after he made political comments onstage has led to an exchange of aggressive legal letters.
August
Opera Australia artistic director gone amid rift with boss
Australia’s largest performing arts company is in turmoil, with Jo Davies resigning after just nine months in the role amid a split with CEO Fiona Allan.
Inside the board meeting showdown at the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra
Contradictory accounts have emerged of a May meeting called to discuss a documentary about MSO chair David Li, underlining divisions at the orchestra.
- Exclusive
- Art
How the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra is tearing itself apart
War erupted on the board of one of Australia’s most prestigious arts institutions long before the public upheavals over a pianist’s remarks about Gaza.
Save the date for a feast of shows in September
From Spiderbait to Sweeney Todd, Oscar Wilde to David Williamson, our pick of the best shows around the country will put a spring in your step.
- Breaking
- Workplace
Melbourne Symphony sacks chief, taps Peter Garrett for review
The besieged orchestra has let go its managing director, and hopes the Midnight Oil singer’s independent review can help restore public confidence.
- Exclusive
- Performing arts
New talent booking platform raises millions to cut out middle men
Try to book big names for an event, and you’ll face a dozen sites claiming to represent them. That scourge may now end for artists such as Casey Donovan.
Sharing a $6.40 birthday cake with star Sarah Brightman
The world-famous performer is not too grand to enjoy a treat from Woolies as she promotes her role in Sunset Boulevard.
The ACO is 50 years old and still rebelling
Born out of disaffection with the strictures of symphony orchestras, the Australian Chamber Orchestra has a typically wild and eclectic party planned for its golden jubilee.
Melbourne Symphony blind to pianist’s anti-Israel views
As arts companies more closely scrutinise their talent for potentially divisive views, it appears the MSO was unaware of strident anti-Israel social media posts by Jayson Gillham.
Melbourne Symphony ‘hides’ board, ignores phone as crisis deepens
The MSO is scrambling to review itself after its musicians called for the sacking of the managing director and chief operating officer following a guest pianist’s cancellation for onstage Gaza comments.
Everyone is angry at Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, even its musicians
The MSO’s decision to cancel a guest pianist for his Gaza war commentary, then backtrack, has united pro-Israel and pro-Palestine activists in disdain.
Bluesfest to end after 35 years in fresh blow to live music
The Byron Bay institution will close just three years after record attendance in 2022, highlighting the challenge to music promoters from rising costs.
Voice of Play School to run Sydney Theatre Company
Mitchell Butel accepts that singing the children’s show theme is what he is best known for despite three decades in the theatre.
Nuns go disco in Sister Act musical
The musical version of the 1992 hit movie has its heavenly moments.
How to do Gold Coast’s Bleach festival
If you still think the Goldie is all about surf and schoolies, the exciting, eclectic and inclusive Bleach* Festival will prove you wrong.
Vale Terry Snow, legendary property developer with a generous heart
The hard-headed businessman, responsible for much of modern Canberra, was also a soft-hearted philanthropist who loved equestrian horses and the arts.
Drought of boys in ballet creates problems for budding ballerinas
They are one half of a pas de deux, yet males are deserting ballet schools in alarming numbers. Queensland Ballet has gone all-out to reverse the trend.
July
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s ‘other’ musical gets a timely revival
Hamilton is a hard act to precede, but hints of its composer’s genius are all over In The Heights, which is being revived at Sydney Opera House.
