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Anna Netrebko Shows Support for East Ukrainians, Poses with Novorossian Flag During St. Petersburg Press Conference

A Russian-Austrian opera soprano, Anna Netrebko showed support to east Ukrainians during a press conference in St. Petersburg over the weekend. The world-renowned singer posed with of the top political leaders while holding the flag of Novorossia.Russian Channel 5 TV showed her giving the cheque to Oleg Tsarev, a leader of the armed separatists in Donetsk.She also said she would be donating 1 million roubles to the Donetsk Opera Theatre.When asked about her view on the political strife that has killed more than 4,000 people since May, the soprano said it was not about politics as much as it was about art."I have a lot of musician friends in Donetsk," she said per "The Guardian." "We have been writing to each other a lot, and they told me the theater was sacred for them, and the building had been partly damaged."She added: "I decided that I wanted to help as much as I can. I think it's the right thing to do because art is art, and helps us get through all situations."
By Ian Holubiak

  • Rei Hotoda Named First Woman Associate Conductor to Utah Symphony Orchestra, Succeeds Vladimir Kulenovic

    Just announced, the Utah Symphony will name Rei Hotoda the new associate conductor next fall. A milestone, she will be the first woman to hold a permanent post with the symphony.Formerly the associate conductor at the Dallas Symphony Orchestra from 2009-12, according to the "Salt Lake Tribune," Hotoda said in a statement: "Working with music director Thierry Fischer and the extraordinary musicians of the orchestra is a partnership I know will be deeply meaningful and very exciting."She continued: "I am really looking forward to getting to know the audiences of the Utah Symphony and look forward to collaborating with such a vibrant community."Music director Thierry Fischer said, "Rei will bring extensive education and community engagement experience to share with audiences in this great state."Hotoda, an acclaimed pianist, has worked with artists from the Canadian Brass to the Indigo Girls and performed in Canadian surrealist filmmaker Guy Maddin's "Brand Upon the Brain."Utah's current associate conductor, Vladimir Kulenovic, will conclude his four-tenure season Aug. 31, 2015. Kulenovic, recently named music director of the Lake Forest Symphony in June 2014, has been the resident conductor of the Belgrade Philharmonic in Croatia since September 2013.
    By Ian Holubiak

  • Joanna Newsom Announces New Material in Wake of Upcoming Paul Thomas Anderson Film 'Inherent Vice'

    Joanna Newsom has announced that she's working on some new material as a follow up to 2010's "Have One on Me," in an interview with Dazed Digital. The musician said that working on Paul Thomas Anderson's upcoming "Inherent Vice" caused her to put music on the back burner for the time being.
    By Ian Holubiak
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