DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

☆ Claire Chase Is Changing How People Think of the Flute
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( Joshua Barone | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Something unusual happens when people speak about the flutist Claire Chase. They use superlatives that would seem reckless if they weren’t repeated so often. “It’s so difficult to talk about Claire,” the composer Marcos Balter said. “She’s so much more than a virtuoso flutist or a pedagogue. Earlier in May, she played Kaija Saariaho’s concerto “L’Aile du Songe” with the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra at Carnegie Hall.

☆ Swedish singer Loreen wins Eurovision Song Contest for 2nd time at event feting Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-14 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Swedish singer Loreen won the Eurovision Song Contest on Saturday night with her power ballad "Tattoo," at a colorful, eclectic music competition clouded for a second year running by the war in Ukraine. Loreen, 39, previously won Eurovision in 2012 and is only the second performer to take the prize twice, after Ireland's Johnny Logan in the 1980s. Under the slogan "united by music," Eurovision final fused the soul of the English port city that birthed The Beatles with the spirit of war-battered Ukraine. Now in its 67th year, Eurovision bills itself as the world's biggest music contest — an Olympiad of party-friendly pop. "Now, the music industry, the world, knows that if you appear at Eurovision, you could be in for a great thing," said Steve Holden, host of the official Eurovision Song Contest podcast.

☆ Eurovision 2023: Seven to look out for in the Grand Final
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-13 | by ( Paul Sandle | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Teya & Salena from Austria perform during the second semi-final of the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool, Britain, May 11, 2023. REUTERS/Phil NobleLIVERPOOL, England, May 13 (Reuters) - The Grand Final of the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Liverpool, northern England, on Saturday, with acts representing 26 countries competing. The song's lyrics address originality in music, while the line "Zero dot zero zero three" refers to the royalty rate of $0.003 per stream which Spotify is said to pay. FRANCEFrance - one of the "Big Five" that has automatic entry to the Grand Final - has not won the contest since 1977. FINLANDKäärijä, a rapper and singer sporting bright green bolero-sleeves and a bare chest, was a huge hit in the arena in Tuesday's semi-final with "Cha Cha Cha", a celebration of cutting loose after a week of hard work.

☆ Recycling 'end-of-life' solar panels, wind turbines, is about to be climate tech's big waste business
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-13 | by ( Bob Woods | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +13 min

watch nowIndeed, the market for recycled solar panel materials is expected to grow exponentially over the next several years. One recipient of this federal funding is First Solar, the largest solar panel manufacturer in the U.S. Massive wind turbines, blades are almost all recyclableRetired wind turbines present another recycling challenge, as well as business opportunities. How the circular renewable energy economy worksPlayers in the circular economy are determined not to let all that waste go to waste. Vestas Wind Systems has committed to producing zero-waste wind turbines by 2040, though it has not yet introduced such a version.

LIVERPOOL, England, May 13 (Reuters) - The grand final of Eurovision 2023 kicked off on Saturday with last year's winner Kalush Orchestra performing on video in Ukraine and live in Liverpool, the northern English city hosting on behalf of the country that is fighting Russia's invasion. The 26 acts that qualified for the grand final span musical styles from ballads to heavy rock to rap, starting with Austria's Teya & Salena performing "Who The Hell is Edgar? [1/6] Mimicat from Portugal performs during the grand final of the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool, Britain, May 13, 2023. Pam Minto, a 37-year-old support worker from Liverpool, said she was proud of her city and hoped it was doing Ukraine proud. Ukrainian Anastasiia Iovova, a 31-year-old teacher who is currently living in Leeds, northern England, said Liverpool felt like home abroad.

☆ Russian missiles hit home town of Ukraine's Eurovision contestants
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-13 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

May 13 (Reuters) - As the Eurovision song contest was underway in Britain late on Saturday, Russian missiles hit the western Ukrainian city of Ternopil, which is home to the electro-pop duo Tvorchi, this year's contestants from Ukraine. Local authorities, writing on Telegram, said the strike had hit warehouses owned by commercial enterprises and a religious organization, injuring two people. Melinda Simmons, Britain's ambassador to Kyiv, praised Tvorchi for their Eurovision 2023 entry. And poignant as their university home town of Ternopil was targeted by Russian missiles this evening," she tweeted. Tvorchi said this week they hoped to shine a spotlight on their country's fight for freedom.

They will be joined by Ukraine and the “Big Five” of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain and Italy in the final. “Loreen has won it before – she’s kind of Eurovision royalty. [1/4] Loreen from Sweden takes part in a dress rehearsal for the Eurovision Song Contest's grand final in Liverpool, Britain, May 12, 2023. REUTERS/Phil Noble 1 2 3 4Kaarija, the green bolero-sleeved singer from Finland whose track “Cha Cha Cha” has gone down a storm in the arena, has also been a very popular selection, Phelps said, and Ukraine “was up there in the betting”. Eurovision blogger William Lee Adams said capturing the zeitgeist had been key to winning in recent years.

☆ Zelenskyy has been banned from speaking at the Eurovision Song Contest because broadcasters fear he would politicize the event
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-12 | by ( Sophia Ankel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Major European broadcasters have blocked Zelenskyy from speaking at Eurovision this weekend. A spokesperson for Zelenskyy denied that he had asked to speak at the event, AP reported. "The Eurovision Song Contest is an international entertainment show and governed by strict rules and principles which have been established since its creation. "We believe that this is the best way to reflect and celebrate Ukraine's Eurovision Song Contest win and show we are united by music during these hard times," the broadcasting union said, according to AP. Both the Oscars in March and the Toronto Film Festival in September denied Zelenskyy's requests to speak.

☆ Three New Story Collections Make Place a Protagonist
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-12 | by ( Justin Taylor | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

The Turkish president Recep Erdogan looms large in Kenan Orhan’s I AM MY COUNTRY: And Other Stories (Random House, 227 pp., $27), a powerful and provocative debut collection with a vivid sense of place. A garbagewoman hoards discarded items she finds in the course of her collections: musical scores, musical instruments, eventually musicians. This smart, heartfelt saga is dragged down by talking birds who pithily argue ethics with their would-be keeper. In “The Smuggler,” set during the Syrian civil war, a Syrian man must get a pregnant 15-year-old Kurdish girl across the border into Turkey by pretending to be her husband. This is Orhan at his best: finding comedy lurking on the outskirts of tragedy, reveling in the inherent absurdism of the all-too-real.

[1/5] Ukrainian dancer Anton Tiplov takes part in a Eurovision themed dance off for fans near the arena as part of the Eurovision Song Contest festivities in Liverpool, Britain May 11. REUTERS/Phil NobleLIVERPOOL, England, May 11 (Reuters) - Liverpool has opened its heart to Ukraine for Eurovision 2023, flying blue and yellow flags, offering special tickets to its refugees and adopting its cuisine, in addition to putting the country centre stage in three live shows. But organisers have worked hard to showcase Ukraine to thousands of fans in the "City of Pop" and millions more watching around the world. "Eurovision is such a joy to have in Liverpool and we're very conscious that we only have it because of the terrible things that are happening in Ukraine," he said. "So as a chef, I wanted to give a nod to the two food cultures coming together."

☆ Review: After 55 Years, the Helsinki Philharmonic Returns to Carnegie Hall
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( Joshua Barone | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Until Tuesday, the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra hadn’t been to Carnegie Hall since 1968. Its chief conductor at the time was Jorma Panula, who was at the podium for that visit. Now, 55 years later, the group is led by one of his former students: Susanna Mälkki. Her tenure in Helsinki, where she has been the chief conductor since 2016, ends this season. In Los Angeles, Mälkki’s repertoire has been varied: a lot of well-shepherded contemporary music, but also insightfully transparent interpretations of the classics.

CNN —The boss of Russian mercenary group Wagner, Yevgeny Prigozhin, accused a Russian brigade of abandoning its position in front-line Bakhmut, allowing Ukraine to seize territory. The flanks are already cracking and falling through.”“At the moment, within the city of Bakhmut, there is only Wagner PMC, there are no other units. PMC Wagner is not there,” he said. Bakhmut is the site of a months-long assault by Russian forces, including Wagner mercenaries, that has driven thousands from their homes and left the area devastated. Prigozhin also questioned the value of capturing Bakhmut, claiming that the city “has no strategic importance.”Separately, a prominent Russian military blogger, Anastasiya Kashevarova, has reported a complete lack of communication in the Bakhmut area between Wagner and the 72nd Brigade.

☆ Pop duo Tvorchi to show Ukraine's 'Heart of Steel' at Eurovision
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( Sarah Mills | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

LIVERPOOL, England, May 10 (Reuters) - Tvorchi, Ukraine's electro pop-duo entry in Eurovision 2023, said they hoped to shine a spotlight on their country's fight for freedom when they perform in the grand final in Liverpool on Saturday night. Formed in 2018 by Ukrainian producer Andrii Hutsuliak and Nigerian-born singer Jeffery Kenny, the pair wrote their song "Heart of Steel" last spring when Ukraine's soldiers were defending Mariupol. "We'll show how strong Ukrainians are," he told Reuters. Ukraine, as last year's winner, gains automatic entry to Saturday's grand final, along with the "big five," comprising Britain, Germany, France, Spain and Italy. Tuesday's first semi-final saw 10 acts qualify for the grand final, including early favourite, Sweden.

☆ Eurovision: The coronation may have passed off peacefully. But song contest could be a bigger headache
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( Luke Mcgee | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

London CNN —Britain’s security services are quietly relieved that the coronation of King Charles III passed without major incident – save for some accusations of heavy-handed policing. On the face of it, the stakes associated with the grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest would not appear to be particularly high. For that reason, British security officials are more exercised than they might otherwise have been about a kitschy musical competition. “On one hand you have thousands of people enjoying the nightlife, which means potential of physical targets and organized crime. This year’s event is, at its heart, a partnership between the UK and Ukraine, two major thorns in the Kremlin’s side.

☆ Ukraine has 'conflicting priorities,' says analyst
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-10 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailUkraine has 'conflicting priorities,' says analystKeir Giles, senior consulting fellow for the Russia and Eurasia Programme at Chatham House, discusses tensions as Russia holds a military parade, while simultaneously launching attacks on Kyiv and Odessa.

☆ Standing on the Corner Is a Music Collective That Won’t Be Pinned Down
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( Mike Rubin | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

Standing on the Corner has also produced tracks by Earl Sweatshirt, Mike, Danny Brown and Solange (with whom Escobar has been frequently photographed). Prepandemic, Standing on the Corner gigs were often announced via same-day Instagram stories and rarely featured the same musicians or even the same configuration — the group might be a 30-plus-member chamber jazz orchestra or a free jazz organ trio. Escobar’s preferred instrument is the organ, though he doesn’t have a formal music academy background. “In a certain sense that’s what makes it better,” said Lopez, himself an in-demand collaborator in New York’s jazz and improvised music community. That’s where music exists.

☆ Factbox: When are the Eurovision Song Contest semi-finals and final?
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-09 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

LIVERPOOL, England, May 9 (Reuters) - Eurovision 2023 has kicked off in Liverpool, northern England, where acts from 37 countries are competing to win the 67th edition of the song contest. There are 37 countries taking part with 31 competing in two semi-finals and 10 going through to the Grand Final. Ukraine, as the previous winner, automatically progresses to the Grand Final, along with the "big five", comprising the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain and Italy. Semi-final 1: viewers in the 15 countries taking part are eligible to vote, alongside France, Germany, and Italy. Semi-final 2: Viewers in the 16 countries taking part are eligible to vote, alongside Spain, Ukraine, and the UK.

Prince William honored his father with a few words during Sunday night's concert - the first ever to be staged at Windsor Castle, home to monarchs for almost 1,000 years. Royals dance the night awaySeveral members of the royal family got their groove on throughout the concert. Chris Jackson/Getty ImagesMesmerizing drone displayA fabulous drone display lit up the sky over the coronation concert, earning audible gasps from the crowd below. Crowds watch illuminated drones creating a light display above Windsor Castle. But when Miss Piggy, dressed in a cerise pink evening dress and glittering necklace, recognized “Downton Abbey” star Bonneville she had other things in mind, thinking he was a real lord.

☆ Drivers unimpressed by F1 plans for more splashy intros
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-08 | by ( Steve Keating | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

That over-the-top scene seemed to go down quite well with fans but left drivers unimpressed, with some looking unsure of what to do beyond wave and smile. F1 says it plans similar splashy intros at eight races this season. "I just hope we don't have that every single time, because we have a very long season, so we don't need an entry like that every time," said Verstappen. The idea behind the catwalk is to provide more interaction between drivers and fans. But drivers say that engagement comes at a cost by taking away time they need to prepare to race.

☆ Eurovision 2023 opens with acts walking Liverpool's 'Turquoise Carpet'
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-07 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

LIVERPOOL, England, May 7 (Reuters) - Eurovision 2023 kicked off on Sunday when 37 contenders walked the "Turquoise Carpet" in Liverpool, the English city hosting the competition on behalf of Ukraine. The "Turquoise Carpet" is Eurovision's version of the red carpet. Ukraine was last year's winner but was unable to stage the event this year, as the winner usually does, because of Russia's invasion. The other 31 contenders will compete in semi-finals on Tuesday and Thursday for 20 places in the grand final. Reporting by Steve Hignett; Writing by Paul Sandle; Editing by Susan FentonOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ In a fickle sporting world F1 understands it's "Entertain to Survive"
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-07 | by ( Steve Keating | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

But the reality for every promoter is that in the world of fickle fans you now need to "Entertain to Survive". Last year the Miami Grand Prix was the hottest ticket in South Beach and, while resale demand has softened, this year's race is again a sellout with 90,000 attending Sunday's race. While the grand prix is the anchor for a weekend of fun, the races themselves are no longer enough to make the event a financial and commercial success. Hard Rock alone hosts three of Florida's biggest sports - the Miami Grand Prix and the Miami Open tennis as well as being home to the NFL's Dolphins. Miami debuted a new driver introduction to the grid that F1 says will be used at eight races this season.

☆ The Coronation of King Charles: Order of Service
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-06 | by ( ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +46 min

The Archbishop saysI here present unto you King Charles, your undoubted King: Wherefore all you who are come this day to do your homage and service, are you willing to do the same? Christopher Finney GC saysI here present unto you King Charles, your undoubted King: Wherefore all you who are come this day to do your homage and service, are you willing to do the same? We praise thee, we bless thee,we worship thee, we glorify thee,we give thanks to thee for thy great glory,O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty. O clap your hands together, all ye people;O sing unto God with the voice of melody. The King touches the Ring and the Archbishop saysReceive this Ring, symbol of kingly dignity and a sign of the covenant sworn this day, between God and King, King and people.

Charles III has commissioned new works for his coronation, adding to the rich tapestry of pieces composed for the occasion. The first coronation music was likely sung chants, which, starting in 1603 with the coronation of James I, were refashioned into coronation anthems now with English text. Both have since become staples in the coronation service. And at the most recent coronation, comparisons between Elizabeth II and Charles III are unsurprisingly being made. Charles III’s coronation is set to usher in the new Carolean era, in the hopes that it will reflect its namesake Charles II and his contributions to art and music.

☆ Opera singer Yende 'too excited to be nervous' at king's coronation
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-05 | by ( Matteo Witt | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

"It's an incredible time of my life as a young girl, as a South African, as an artist, only joy floods my heart." "This was my audition I guess," said Yende, recalling the evening at Windsor during a backstage interview at the opera house. Yende grew up singing gospel music in church in her hometown of Piet Retief in eastern South Africa. At the coronation, Yende will perform "Sacred Fire", a piece written by composer Sarah Class for the occasion. "Whether you're a king, a princess or just a girl from the tip of Africa singing for the coronation of the king."

☆ Russia is now accusing the US of being behind a supposed drone attack on the Kremlin
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-04 | by ( Tom Porter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov blamed the US for drone strikes on the Kremlin. Offering no evidence for the claims, Putin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the attack was orchestrated in Washington, DC. On Wednesday, Russia said that two Ukrainian drones targeted the Kremlin as part of an assassination bid. John Kirby, a spokesman for the White House National Security Council, said Thursday that Russian claims the US orchestrated the drone attacks were "ridiculous," reported CNN. Russian hardliners have called on the Kremlin to assassinate Zelenskyy in revenge for the drone strikes.

Search resuls for: "Odessa Orchestra

25 mentions found