Yo-Yo Ma Gives Investment Tips on John Oliver in Response to Panama Papers >>
The release of the Panama Papers has continued to rattle world leaders. Of those named is Russian cellist Sergei Roldugin, close friend to Russian president Vladimir Putin.
Vladimir Putin Plays "Imperial March" From Star Wars With a Little Help [WATCH] >>
Vladimir Putin may not be regarded for his musical prowess as much as his politics, but he is trying. A video of Putin playing the "Imperial March" from 'Star Wars' on piano, with a little help, has surfaced on YouTube and, naturally, has gone viral.
Putin Awards Hvorostovsky Order of Nevsky Prize >>
Dmitri Hvorostovsky, the beloved international baritone undergoing treatment in London for brain cancer, was awarded the Order of Alexander Nevsky by Vladimir Putin, Russia's president. The award is given for exceptional artistry.
Protest Against Valery Gergiev Continued in Ann Arbor This Weekend >>
Protests against the Mariinsky Theatre’s Valery Gergiev display no signs of stopping anything soon. Demonstrators in Ann Arbor, Michigan, carried signs and laid on pavement outside the Hill Auditorium Saturday to protest the director's relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
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WATCH: David Lynch Accepts ALS Ice Bucket Challenge, Calls Out Putin...But Not Without the Aid of His Trumpet [VIDEO] >>
If you didn't think that the Ice Bucket Challenge could get any sort of, well, "treatment" then perhaps you haven't seen David Lynch get his hands on it. If you know him, then you know this is well-worth your time.
Oh, What is Pussy Riot? Just the Most "Important" Band in the World...Who's Music Sucks Even Worse than Vlad Putin! >>
Going on Stephen Colbert, breaking up every other day, getting whipped by Cossacks at Sochi--the all-grrrl, balaclava-clad punk band Pussy Riot has recently become the biggest little band in the world. But has anyone really listened to Pussy Riot? They're not exactly Iggy and the Stooges.
Ukrainian Unrest...or What the Late Nationalist Composer Mykola Vitaliyovych Lysenko Would Do to President Putin >>
Mykola Vitaliyovych Lysenko, the late Ukrainian composer, pianist and scholar, was lauded for his nationalism. He refused to write his operas in Russian, which were eventually banned by the czars in 1876.
Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics: Violinist Vanessa-Mae Vanakorn Nicholson (of Thailand?) Finishes Last in Ladies' Giant Slalom >>
Crossover violinist Vanessa-Mae, who realized her dream earlier today of skiing in the Sochi Olympics, finished in last place during the Ladies’ Giant Slalom. But she was able to finish both her runs on a course where the conditions were less than ideal, something that 22 other competitors failed to do.
Free Pussy Riot: Amnesty International's Bringing Human Rights Home Concert Loses Sight of Both Humans and Rights >>
On the eve of the Sochi Olympics, Amnesty International's Bringing Human Rights Home gala snuck under the radar of a concert to be seen. Instead, Barclays Center didn't bring any rights home, just a boorish crowd.
Putin' Out: Maestro Valery Gergiev Issues Statement to Hans-Georg Küppers on Munich LGBTQ Rights >>
“For the city of Munich it applies that any exclusion, discrimination or harassment of people because of their gender, origin, color, religion, disability or sexual orientation must not occur. Ways of behaviour that contradict these principles will not be tolerated.” -- Valery Gergiev
Violist Urging Royal Concertgebouw to Speak About Russian Gay Rights on Anniversary Tour >>
The Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra will leave for Russia in November, part of its world tour celebrating the venerable ensemble's 125th anniversary. And one member of the orchestra, viola player Vincent Peters, is urging his band to make a statement about the Russian government's anti-LGBTQ policies.
Judge Allows Alberto Vilar, Convicted of Fraud, to Attend the Met...as Valery Gergiev's Guest >>
Judge Richard J. Sullivan recently granted an extended curfew to disgraced businessman Alberto Vilar, so that he could attend the Metropolitan Opera's own scandal-ridden performance of 'Eugene Onegin.'
The Column: Met Opera Protests, Lots of Questions, But One Definite Answer >>
Anti-Putin protests at Met Opera raise many issues, but they crossed a line.
Will Putin, Gergiev, Netrebko Respond to Pussy Riot's Nadezhda Tolokonnikova Solitary Confinement and “Conditions of Slavery?" >>
Pussy Riot member Nadezhda Tolokonnikova was moved to solitary confinement today, a day after she began a hunger strike to protest the inhuman conditions at the penal colony where she is imprisoned. Prison authorities said they were moving her to solitary for her own safety, not as a punishment, after Tolokonnikova said she received death threats.
Gay Rights Protesters Disrupt Metropolitan Opera's Opening Night Performance of Tchaikovsky's 'Eugene Onegin' >>
The Metropolitan Opera's opening night gala performance last night of Tchaikovsky's 'Eugene Onegin' was disrupted by a gay rights supporter calling for an end to discrimination against homosexuals in Russia.
