Word: opera
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...ARTS TV: Japan's Soap Opera Queen Books: Afghan Exile Looks Back Books: A Bar Girl's Tale...
...Croatian pianist Maksim is finding out (EMI has signed him for five albums). Even a rap persona can work, as demonstrated by "Tony Henry," the new name of once-legit operatic tenor Anthony Garfield Henry, now reborn and rehyped as the €4.3 million contracted "P. Diddy of opera." Judging by this crowd, you might think the entire classical-music world is becoming more and more pop: dominated by production-line performers who fit the latest high-selling stereotype. And to some extent it's true. Many record execs, understandably excited by the high sales figures of acts such...
...found fame through the U.K. reality TV-show Popstars, saw her group break up and now hopes to make it as a pseudo-classical pianist. Universal signed her to a six-album deal reportedly worth over €1.4 million. Cheerfully admits she couldn't sit through a long opera. Her CD's not out yet, but if she's a great pianist, wouldn't we have heard about it before now? She can count on a teen following in Britain, but elsewhere she'll have to get by on talent. As a manufactured pop star she didn't last long...
...Former journeyman singer Anthony Garfield Henry now has a better name, Gucci shades and big rings, and is being hailed as opera's P. Diddy (although what this means is anyone's guess - will he date Jennifer Lopez and fire weapons in crowded opera halls?). Warner Music is trumpeting his 34.3 million, five-album contract - one of which will be an opera-style CD of pop songs. Opera meets rap - well, at least he's got the niche to himself. Commercial potential: $$$$ Artistry: Too soon to tell...
...board member of the London Symphony Orchestra, says of Harding: "We all think he'll be one of the greats in 10 or 15 years." Harding's recordings (he's signed exclusively to Virgin Classics) have been mixed so far, but last year's issue of Britten's opera The Turn of the Screw revealed a new depth pushing through his characteristic incisiveness. But Harding is the first to concede that he has some ripening to do: "I feel I'm a grown-up artist now, with my own orchestra and recordings, but I also know that in 10 years...