A recurring question since marriage equality became legal has been whether religious institutions can freely discriminate in their employment practices against married gay couples, relying on statutory religious exemptions from anti-discrimination laws or constitutional claims. In a case involving a food service worker who lost a job with a Catholic girls school, a Massachusetts trial judge ruled on December 16 that the answer is “no,” at least in a case involving a job that plays … <Read More>
Michael Barrett
Ned Rorem 90th Birthday Celebration at NY Festival of Song
Last night the New York Festival of Song saluted Ned Rorem on his 90th birthday year with a special concert at Merkin Hall. I was delighted to be there for the festivities. NYFOS co-director Steven Blier provided informative notes in the program describing the long relationship between Rorem and NYFOS, which has presented special birthday celebration concerts for him several times over the past few decades. All deserved, of course, as Rorem is one of … <Read More>
The Singers and the Songs – NY Festival of Song: Kevin Puts & Friends – Meglioranza/Uchida New Winterreise Recording
Herewith some observations about two encounters with art song in recent days: a wonderful concert of new songs presented by the New York Festival of Song at the Jerome Robbins Theater at the Baryshnikov Arts Center, and a new recording of Franz Schubert’s song cycle, Winterreise, by baritone Tom Meglioranza and pianist Reiko Uchida.
The New York Festival of Song, which presents an extensive series of song recitals at Merkin Concert Hall (north of Lincoln … <Read More>