Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

December 2, 2008 7:16:54 AM CST

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Shhh! Europe Law Forces Orchestras to Tone It Down

Posted Apr 19, 08 9:46 PM CDT in World,  Arts & Living 

(Newser) – A new law in Europe to protect employees from ear-damaging noises is stifling a surprise industry—orchestras. Conductors are taking it down a notch to comply, in one case canceling a world premiere because it exceeded the allowable decibels in rehearsal, the New York Times reports. At the Royal Opera House, musicians have to wear earplugs—akin to telling a "race-car driver they have to wear a blindfold," said one oboist.

The law was designed to protect construction workers, but it applies to classical musicians as well, and studies have proven them vulnerable to hearing problems. The logistics of complying involve changing repertoires, rotating seats, and adding noise-absorbent panels. Still, one musician prefers to "shove my fingers in my ears for a few bars" if Mahler's symphonies get too loud.

Source New York Times

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • Robo-Maestro Takes Baton

    May 14, 08 3:27 PM CDT
    Robo-Maestro Takes Baton It was classical music, but when the Detroit Symphony Orchestra hit its final note last night, it sounded an awful lot like the future. Honda’s Asimo robot led a real, live, human orchestra, and though the android was only repeating the recorded movements of a human, the performance went beautifully, impressing the musicians and delighting the crowd, the Guardian reports. More »

  • Pavarotti Lipsynched Last Performance

    Apr 7, 08 9:02 AM CDT
    Pavarotti Lipsynched Last Performance Lipsynching isn't just for neophytes like Nikki Hilton—none other than tenor Luciano Pavarotti faked his way through his final public performance at the opening of the Turin Winter Olympics, the Guardian reports. In a new book, Pavarotti's conductor and pianist claims that he recorded the cancer-stricken tenor and the orchestra, and used video trickery to pull the ruse off before millions of TV viewers. More »

A cellist of Donetsk Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra rehearses before "Salt Symphony" in this file photo.   (Associated Press)
In this photo provided by the UBS Verbier Festival Orchestra, Martha Argerich rehearses with the UBS Verbier Festival Orchestra in this file photo.   (Associated Press)
Mstislav Rostropovich leads the London Symphony Orchestra in a three-concert Shostakovich series in this file photo.   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (
1
 of 3)

Tags

European Union • classical music • composer • noise • orchestra • conductor


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other Arts & Living Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser a team of editors and writers culls the most important stories from hundreds of U.S. and international sources and reduces them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. It's the Newser guarantee: we can take any report or column or video and pack what you need to know into 120 words or less. Newser's short-form aggregation, visual format, and unique information tools help you get more of the kind of news you want, in a quicker and more entertaining way. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »