Montana District Court Judge Jeffrey M. Sherlock has granted the state's motion to dismiss in Donaldson v. State of Montana, Cause No. BDV-2010-702 (April 19, 2011), a suit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union of Montana on behalf of several same-sex couples seeking equal access to the various rights provided under state law to married different-sex couples through some formal legal status. Judge Sherlock found that it would be an "inappropriate exercise" of … <Read More>
NY Court Finds Longer of Two Statutes of Limitations Applies to HIV-Confidentiality Law Suit Against City Hospital Corporation
Ruling on a question of first impression, New York State Supreme Court Justice Lawrence Knipel rejected a motion to dismiss as time-barred an action filed against the New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) for breach of the state's HIV confidentiality law, Public Health Law Article 27-F, by an HHC employee, finding that a damage claim founded on such a violation did not fall within the scope of the shortened statutory notice and filing requirements applicable … <Read More>
The ASO Passover Offering: Paul Dessau’s “Haggadah shel Pesach”
Tonight the American Symphony Orchestra offered up a splendid finale to their season, appropriately timed to fall during Passover: Paul Dessau's large oratorio for vocal soloists, chorus and orchestra, "Haggadah shel Pesach," in what is claimed to be it United States premiere performance. Leon Botstein led a dozen vocal soloists, the Collegiate Chorale Singers, the Brooklyn Youth Chorus, and, of course, the ASO, at Carnegie Hall.
Max Brod, the librettist, took the traditional Passover Seder … <Read More>
“The Conspirator” – Robert Redford’s new costume drama
Sunday evening I caught a showing of "The Conspirator," the new costume drama directed by Robert Redford, dramatizing the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln and the subsequent trial before a military commission of Mary Surratt, the Washington, D.C., boardinghouse keeper who was tried for conspiracy to murder the President, the Vice President, and the Secretary of State. I am a sucker for historical fiction on the screen, especially when it is as well done as … <Read More>
Peoples’ Symphony Concerts End 2011-12 Town Hall Season On a Positive Note
Peoples' Symphony Concerts ended their 2011-2012 Festival Series at New York City's Town Hall on Sunday (April 17) on a positive note with the Schumann Trio, a stellar aggregation of clarinetist Anthony McGill, violist Michael Tree, pianist Polonsky, playing music by Mozart, Schumann, Bruch and Brahms.
Each of these musicians has an active career of their own, but they come together from time to time to explore the repertory available for a trio of clarinet, viola and … <Read More>
Delaware Lesbian Co-Parent Benefits from Statute Inspired by Her Own Case
The Delaware Supreme Court may have put an end to a contentious, long-running dispute between former lesbian partners by denying reconsideration to its unanimous decision issued last month in the case of Smith v. Guest, 2011 Westlaw 899550 (March 14, 2011), affirming a ruling by the New Castle County Family Court that the plaintiff was a de facto parent of the child adopted by her former partner and thus entitled to an award of joint … <Read More>
The Philadelphia Orchestra’s Bankruptcy
Many friends have used the word "sad" to describe the news that the Philadelphia Orchestra's board of directors voted to file a Chapter 11 petition in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Philadelphia. I can agree that there is some sadness attending this event, but I would point out that Chapter 11 is about hope, about optimism. It would be truly sad, indeed tragic, if the board's reaction to the orchestra's financial situation were to file … <Read More>
Masur Back at the NY Philharmonic
Kurt Masur, who served as Music Director of the NY Philharmonic through the 1990s, returned to lead the orchestra this week in a program of Liszt, Gubaidulina and Brahms. Unfortunately, an eye infection that made it impossible for him to read a score while conducting ruled out the Gubaidulina, so Assistant Conduct Daniel Boico stepped in, with Masur leading the Liszt (Les Preludes) and Brahms (Symphony No. 1) without a score.
Masur, who will be … <Read More>
A Minister’s Wife, at Lincoln Center Theater
Tonight I attended a performance of "A Minister's Wife," a musical theater adaptation of George Bernard Shaw's "Candida" with book by Austin Pendleton, music by Joshua Schmidt, and lyrics by Jan Levy Tranen. Marc Kudisch played the minister, Kate Fry played his wife, and Bobby Steggert played the young Eugene Marchbanks, who has a crush on the minister's wife and tries to win her away from him. Also cast were Liz Baltes as the minister's … <Read More>
Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, on Broadway
Paid a visit last night to this extravaganza. I loved the film. Was it crying out to be done as a musical? Actually, yes. The combination of the driving disco beat, the fantastic costumes, the energetic choreography and the hard-working cast and crew made it a diverting evening, holding the attention if not exactly gripping the emotions with character development. The characters are all cartoons. So this was an occasion for watching gorgeous guys and … <Read More>