Killing Aida: A Mortal Threat to Art
National Review: Jay Nordlinger
Identity politics, capitulation in the face of ignorance and zealotry can kill art. Certain people will kill art, and civilization along with it, if we let them.

(Eng)aging With The Arts Has Its Benefits
Createquity: Salem Tsegaye, et al
A robust set of research suggests that participatory arts activities are effective mechanisms for increasing the health and quality of life of aging individuals.

Lyric Opera of Chicago Calls FY2016 Breakeven, Though Financial Report Shows Sea of Red
Chicago Business Journal
Lyric reported $61.9 million in total revenue for the year, down substantially from $86.8 million the previous year. Total expenses for the year climbed to $84.1 million, up from $79 million the previous year.

New York Times & Wall Street Journal Prepare To Slash Entertainment Coverage And Staff As Print Ads Vanish
Deadline Holywood: Jeremy Gerard
As print advertising revenues continue to fall off the cliff, reviews and features related to film, theater and the rest of the arts are being cut at New York’s two prominent broadsheets, the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal.

How Newark Became One of the Greatest Jazz Cities in the World
The Guardian: Tammy La Gorce
In 2016, Newark is one nonstop, ongoing, jazz parade: Wynton Marsalis, the Robert Glasper Experiment, Dianne Reeves, Phil Perry, David Sanborn and Anjelique Kidjo have been in and out town for shows.

Demonstrators Protest L.A. Opera Over Casting of White Singer as an Egyptian Pharaoh
Los Angeles Times: Catherine Womack
Ticket holders to Los Angeles Opera’s opening night of Philip Glass’ “Akhnaten” on Saturday were greeted by about 25 peaceful demonstrators who voiced their frustration over a white actor singing the title role of an Egyptian pharaoh.

Leonard Cohen, Singer-Songwriter of Love, Death and Philosophical Longing, Dies at 82
The Washington Post: Matt Schudel
The Canadian-born poet, songwriter and singer, whose intensely personal lyrics exploring themes of love, faith, death and philosophical longing made him the ultimate cult artist, and whose enigmatic song “Hallelujah” became a celebratory anthem recorded by hundreds of artists, died Nov. 7. He was 82.

Sting Reopens Bataclan With 'Fragile,' Tribute to David Bowie and Prince
Billboard: Rhonda Richford
A day shy of the anniversary of the Paris attacks, Sting reopened Paris' Bataclan theater with a minute of silence for the 90 killed and dedicated the song "50,000" to David Bowie and Prince, among others.

Fiddling with the Past: The Secrets of Scottish Music
New York Times: Craig Smith
On Cape Breton, an isolated island in Nova Scotia, musicians have developed an upbeat, distinctive style that moves.

Cape Town City Ballet Evicted from Its HQ Because It’s ‘Eurocentric And Colonial’
Cape Times: Tanya Farber
After 82 years of partnership, Cape Town City Ballet has been booted out of its University of Cape Town premises because ballet is "Eurocentric and colonial". Company members said they had to rush to clear their lockers and were warned it had become “unsafe” for them to be on UCT property owing to student protest action.

London's New Concert Hall Project Has Stalled – and It's No Great Loss
The Guardian: Andrew Clements
Arguments in favor left many unconvinced, and with his Barbican concerts Simon Rattle has already showed the difference he can make to a venue’s sound.

Streaming Revenue Has Already Topped $1bn at Universal this Year
Music Business Wordwide
Streaming revenues from recorded music comfortably surpassed $1bn at Universal Music Group in the first nine months of 2016. From January-September, UMG’s recorded sales from streaming and subscription services reached €1.03bn ($1.1bn) – up 64.3% on the same period in 2015 (at constant currency and perimeter).

Identifying the Musical Tastes of Birds
Hyperallergic: Claire Voon
Do birds prefer classical music, opera, or heavy metal? As with humans, it’s likely a matter of personal preference, and one art project is offering our feathered friends a chance to communicate their preferences to us.