News•Mar 11, 2026
Over Objections Of Musicians And Staff, Beatrice Venezi Confirmed As Music Director Of La Fenice In Venice
La Fenice approved Beatrice Venezi as its new music director despite vocal protests from the orchestra and staff. The appointment is controversial because Venezi is perceived to have close ties to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her right‑wing Brothers of Italy party. At 35, Venezi has never led a major opera‑house orchestra, raising questions about her artistic credentials. Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli defended the decision, framing it as a historic step for female leadership in Venice’s premier opera venue.
By ArtsJournal
News•Mar 11, 2026
Phoenix Symphony Selects L.A. Phil Alum As Its Next Music Director
The Phoenix Symphony announced that Chilean‑Italian conductor Paolo Bortolameolli will become its Virginia G. Piper Music Director beginning in the 2027‑28 season, after serving as Music Director Designate for 2026‑27. He was chosen from a three‑year, 100‑candidate search, emerging as the clear...
By ArtsJournal
News•Mar 11, 2026
Bill Kurtis To Retire From NPR’s “Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me”
Veteran journalist Bill Kurtis announced his retirement from NPR’s weekly news‑quiz program “Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me!” after a 12‑year tenure as judge and scorekeeper. His final episode is scheduled for May 23, 2026, concluding a broadcasting career that stretches over seven decades,...
By ArtsJournal
News•Mar 10, 2026
Good Morning
Rising production costs are forcing American theater companies to stage new works in London, where venue rentals are cheaper than Broadway. The Kennedy Center’s two‑year closure leaves a cultural void, yet Washington National Opera successfully mounted Scott Joplin’s Treemonisha shortly...
By ArtsJournal
News•Mar 10, 2026
The LiveNation Settlement Will Solve Nothing
The Department of Justice settled its antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation with a $200 million payment and modest practice changes, allowing the company to retain Ticketmaster. The deal ends some exclusive venue bookings and requires a gradual phase‑out of exclusive ticketing...
By ArtsJournal
News•Mar 9, 2026
An Opera Singer Who’s Made A Name As A Car Salesman
A classically trained opera singer has reinvented his career by becoming a car salesman who films himself belting arias on the dealership lot. He writes original lyrics that describe each vehicle and posts the performances on TikTok and Instagram, where...
By ArtsJournal
News•Mar 9, 2026
Thinking Of AI Art — You Have To Think Of It As Its Own Art Form
Filmmaker Harmony Korine, famed for Gummo and Spring Breakers, is now championing AI‑generated immersive art. Through a partnership with generative‑AI startup Runway, his studio EDGLRD produced a trippy short set in Miami’s Design District, debuting at Art Basel. Korine describes...
By ArtsJournal
News•Mar 6, 2026
The Giant Nude Woman In SF’s Embarcadero Plaza Will Be Staying All This Summer
The San Francisco Arts Commission voted on March 4 to keep Marco Cochrane’s 48‑foot steel‑and‑mesh nude sculpture “R‑Evolution” in Embarcadero Plaza through October 2025. The work, originally created for Burning Man in 2015, is privately funded by the Sijbrandij Foundation and...
By ArtsJournal
News•Mar 6, 2026
Crystal Pite On Choreographing Work About Big Real-World Problems
Canadian choreographer Crystal Pite, a multi‑award‑winning figure in contemporary dance, blends massive ensemble work with intimate, emotionally resonant storytelling. Her catalog—including “Flight Pattern,” “Figures in Extinction,” and “Betroffenheit”—directly engages issues such as the refugee crisis, climate change and collective trauma....
By ArtsJournal
News•Mar 6, 2026
What Will Happen To DC Theatre Without A WaPo Theatre Critic?
In February, The Washington Post eliminated its entire arts and culture desk, including full‑time theatre critic Naveen Kumar, leaving Washington, D.C. without a dedicated regional theatre reviewer. Freelance pieces now fill the void, but coverage remains sparse. Thirty‑three local theatres...
By ArtsJournal