Current Events
AGMA Whistleblower Steps Forward
Thu, Mar 3, 2020
by Drew McManus
The 3/2/2020 edition of NPR Music published an article by Anastasia Tsioulcas that takes a thorough look into the allegations of quid pro quo in the form of American Guild of Musical Artists’ (AGMA) silence in exchange for a $500,000 settlement payment from Plácido Domingo. At the end of February 2020, news leaked that AGMA’s
First Of Two Reports Concludes Plácido Domingo Engaged In Sexual Misconduct And Abuse Of Power
Wed, Feb 2, 2020
by Drew McManus
Over the last several months, two organizations have been investigating allegations that Plácido Domingo abused his positions of authority and engaged in multiple counts of sexual misconduct with subordinates and colleagues. While the investigation still underway by the LA Opera has no expected end date nor is it known if any findings will be made
LA Musicians Get Political
Fri, Feb 2, 2020
by Drew McManus
While it isn’t unusual for national unions to endorse presidential candidates (the American Federation of Musicians endorsed Hilary Clinton in 2016), it isn’t common to see AFM Locals to endorse a candidate. The 2/12/2020 edition of Variety published an article by Chris Willman that reports AFM Local 47, which represents Los Angeles area musicians including
For The Fourth Straight Year, White House Proposes Gutting Arts Funding. Here’s What You MUST Do About It.
Tue, Feb 2, 2020
by Drew McManus
It’s easy to get lulled into compliance and think that just because the White House has been waging an unsuccessful war on gutting arts funding, that we can let the resistance slide. Opera America gets the award for the first service org to send out an action alert to constituents warning about the proposed 2021
Lemons to Lemonade
Mon, Feb 2, 2020
by Drew McManus
In the wake of last week’s post examining how the coronavirus outbreak is impacting arts and culture organizations, there are some instances of turning lemons into lemonade. The 2/6/2020 edition of the Boston Globe highlights how the Boston Symphony is redirecting the time it would have been on tour in China to a series of
