Michael Tilson Thomas has passed away at age 81. Tilson Thomas, along with Lin and Ted Arison, co-founded the New World Symphony in Miami Beach in 1987. Tilson Thomas first served as assistant conductor of the Boston Symphony, where he was launched into the spotlight. He later had principal conducting roles with the Buffalo Philharmonic, the LA Philharmonic, the London Symphony, and lastly with the San Francisco Symphony, where he served as music director for 25 years.
Construction will begin in 2027 for a new Tennessee Performing Arts Center in Nashville. Tennessee has dedicated $500 million to the 307,000-square-foot facility, which will include a 2,600-seat hall, a 650-seat hall, a 400-seat black box theater, and a 150-seat cabaret space. The Center itself will only have a 170-space parking garage and is counting on other development in the area to provide additional parking space.
The Justice Department has settled antitrust investigations with Broadway Across America and Live Nation. Broadway Across America was accused of coordinating with another company to limit competition in 44 cities in exchange for continuing its presentations in San Antonio in violation of antitrust laws. Live Nation was in antitrust litigation over its use of Ticketmaster to stifle competition.
President Trump has proposed a budget for fiscal 2027 that greatly reduces funding for the arts. Funding for the NEA and NEH would be reduced from its current $207 million each to just $29 million each. Additionally, the current $36.5 million for Assistance for Arts Education would be eliminated..
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Theater lobbying group Cinema United is opposing the merger of Paramount and Warner Bros. They claim that the merger would result in few films being produced and that there would be fewer groups controlling terms, screen placement, and access.
Disney plans to eliminate 1,000 of its 230,000 employees. The layoffs are part of plans to consolidate marketing at its various divisions and to eliminate duplication. Sony Pictures and entertainment also plans to lay off a few hundred of its 12,000 employees as part of its restructuring.
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The Louisville Symphony has received $3.2 million from Kentucky in support of its Harmony Tour. The Harmony tour brings the Symphony to communities across the state in places such as school gymnasiums, libraries, and public parks. The 2027 Tour will include performances by Yo-Yo Ma, and the funding will support the program through 2028.
Jackie Chan will direct his first opera this year. He will be directing Turandot at the Puccini Festival in Italy. The production will introduce the use of martial arts into the storytelling.
The Dallas Symphony has added $50 million to its endowment fund. The Symphony has raised $25 million to qualify for an additional matching grant of $25 million from the O’Donnell Foundation.
The Atlantic Classical Orchestra in Vero Beach has received $1 million from Robert and Janet Hoffman. Robert Hoffman is a past chair of the ACO board of directors and the funding will establish the Hoffman Legacy Fund as part of the Orchestra’s Legacy Endowment campaign.