Yesterday Anne Midgette reported the uncomfortable news that Washington National Opera has cut the jobs of nine staff members, including its head of public relations. Add that to the latest bad news from the continuing implosion of the Smithsonian, and it has been a rough week for the city's cultural institutions.As it turns out, the Post was confused about the musical plans for the White House welcome ceremony for the pope today. To my great relief, Kathleen Battle sang, much more appropriately, Albert Hay Malotte's arrangement of The Lord's Prayer, with harp accompaniment. Unfortunately, the Army Chorus then did sing Battle Hymn of the Republic, in that horribly over-the-top arrangement. It was grotesque.
The music for the papal liturgies is more important, somewhat unevenly assessed by the Post today. Tune in at 5:30 pm for the broadcast of the Pope's celebration of Vespers at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. I'm heading over there after lunch.
WHAT IS THIS - "Scrawl on Arts?" Someone please take away your Photoshop tools.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the papal coverage, dear son. It's wonderful to hear what's going on inside the beltway.
Pax.
You'll pry my Photoshop tools from my cold, dead hands.
ReplyDeleteWish you could have been here -- we miss you!