Yesterday
Singing in English a ‘blessing and curse’ for Oz music: Grammy boss
The president of the Recording Academy says singing in English can be a disadvantage outside America – but Australia’s music industry can conquer it.
This Month
Spotify denies it’s directing users away from Aussie music
The streaming giant has put a new hub for local music on its Australian homepage, as it claims its algorithm is not to blame for the lack of local hits on the charts.
Biggest gift completes ‘unfinished business’ at National Gallery
The Canberra institution finally has a work by one of the 20th century’s most influential painters, Edvard Munch of The Scream fame, thanks to philanthropist Geoff Ainsworth.
Senior staff depart Art Gallery of NSW amid tension at the top
The chief operating officer and chief of staff have both left the institution following a change of directors.
NGV’s ‘Kusama’ to become biggest-selling art show
The 96-year-old Japanese woman, whom few Australians had heard of four months ago, is set to be responsible for the country’s most popular ticketed art exhibition ever.
March
An aged care musical? Straight to the pool room, said Tom Gleisner
The creator behind The Castle and Utopia spent many hours visiting nursing homes, and emerged not depressed, but inspired to write songs.
From Annie to Zimmer: the must-see shows to catch in April
Take a break from the hard-knock life with our monthly selection of the best live entertainment around the country.
‘Shouted into submission’: Monash Uni stops Sabsabi show
The cancelled artist’s gallerist has blasted Creative Australia for not having his client’s back.
How this top barrister became a ‘Medici’ of classical music
Senior counsel Richard Cobden has now funded three works for Sydney’s Omega Ensemble. He wants you to know that commissioning is not as hard as you might think.
Art Gallery Of NSW gets first female director after 154 years
Maud Page, the long-time deputy of outgoing director Michael Brand, has been selected to step up at the institution, which gets 2 million visitors annually.
‘No room for nuance’: Melbourne Writers Festival avoids Gaza
After the war in the Middle East tore apart the organisation last year, new artistic director Veronica Sullivan’s 2025 program has adopted a small target strategy.
How to direct a musical on a ‘football field’
There’s a lot riding on Opera Australia’s annual outdoor production but Shaun Rennie is more worried about actors getting to their marks, and nothing getting blown into Sydney Harbour.
Australian Ballet appointments a show of faith
The artistic director’s contract extension comes as the major performing arts company also gets a new executive director, after being without one for almost a year.
Former MSO boss settles with pianist she cancelled
Sophie Galaise has settled with Jayson Gillham on the eve of his discrimination trial against the orchestra.
Whiteley, Quilty among artists collected by crime syndicate
Forget Lamborghinis or brass knuckles. This Melbourne drug syndicate preferred Australian paintings such as Ben Quilty’s Mazda 121, which has now made $73,621 for the Commonwealth.
He was David Helfgott’s hands. Now he must have fingers in many pies
Sharing the stage with a $16 million violin and donning a powdered wig to become Mozart – pianist Simon Tedeschi on the eclectic lot of a classical musician.
Donors mull ditching ‘divisive’ Sydney Writers’ Festival
Private donors are said to be reconsidering up to $500,000 of annual support, concerned the festival is becoming too partisan after departure of former chair Kathy Shand.
This actor has the legal profession flocking to see her show
Heather Mitchell is reviving the crowning role of her long career, playing the US Supreme Court judge in RBG: Of Many, One.
Your concert ticket might soon look like a bill
A federal parliamentary inquiry into reviving the struggling live music industry has proposed itemising the costs that go into the price of a show.
From two Pulitzer Prizes to the Michael Jackson musical
Playwright Lynn Nottage – whose second Pulitzer Prize was praised for “explaining” Donald Trump’s win – says taking on the King of Pop’s life was a no-brainer.