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SERVING THE FENWAY, KENMORE SQUARE, UPPER BACK BAY, PRUDENTIAL, LONGWOOD AREA AND MISSION HILL SINCE 1974 VOLUME 41, NUMBER 11 OCTOBER 30-DECEMBER 4, 2015 Skeptical Opponents Continue to SURPRISE B.U. SALE DECISION CASTS A SHADOW ON HUNTINGTON’S FUTURE PHOTO: HUNTINGTNON THEATERPHOTO: HUNTINGTNON COMPANY Fight Childrens Hospital Plans BY BARBARA BROOKS SIMONS BY ALISON PULTINAS edge of the domed Hunnewell building. And t’s always a shock when long partner- rotests against the loss of the Prouty The Boston Globe reported late in the month ships break up, especially if they seem Garden at the Boston Children’s that BCH is selling a parcel on Binney St. that to be working just fine. That’s how many Hospital (BCH) continued this fall has all city approvals for an 18-story research subscribers to the Huntington Theatre with lunchtime demonstrations on the laboratory; a 4-story parking garage currently Company reacted to the news that Boston Uni- occupies that site. I sidewalk and a new petition from former and versity and the Huntington are, well, breaking P Previous plans filed with the city current staff, led by Doctors John Mulliken, up—though amicably and by mutual consent. Stephen Gellis and Robert Petersen. Garden proposed replacing the 1970s-era Enders The university is moving its School of Theatre advocates have asked building adjacent design and production programs to its Charles supporters to write to the main BCH River campus. That means it will sell the 890- to Attorney General building with a seat BU Theatre and the adjacent backstage Maura Healey with new clinical care properties on Huntington Avenue. That build- information support- facility and move ing has been home to the Huntington Theatre ing their assertion ALISON PULTINAS PHOTO: research to the north Company for more than 30 years. Both BU that the hospital— side of Longwood students and Huntington staff have used the contrary to public Ave. But something neighboring spaces to create scenery, sets, and statements—did have changed, triggering costumers. The theatre company has gotten The Huntington became one of the an alternative site for the controversial financial support from BU. first US companies to produce the full a new clinical facility decisions related In a joint statement, BU and the “Pittsburgh Cycle” plays by Pulitzer and has rashly cho- to the location of Huntington said that the two institutions have Prize-winning dramatist August sen to demolish the the new clinical plans and needs that they cannot achieve Wilson describing the sweep of African American experience over a century. Prouty Garden and Liz XXXXX and Gus XXXXXX stand vigil at building. And now, within the partnership. The university wants Phyllicia Rashad and Reuben Santiago- the historic 55 Shat- a lunchtime demonstration outside the preserving the to centralize its theatre arts program. It Hudson starred in “Gem of the Ocean” tuck St. building. BCH. “Look around you,” their sign reads, pigs and rabbits in plans to build new facilities on its campus, during the 2004-05 season. On October “There are lots of buildings, but there’s animal facilities including a new theatre. In turn, the theatre 13 the hospital only one Prouty Garden.” (formerly Enders company needs a more modern theatre and they are “eager to revitalize the theatre we’ve administration held a East) is part of public function spaces for its patrons. This called home for those 33 years” and continue public event for staff, families and volunteers the rationale for the bridge over Longwood year, some 130,000 people will see eight to produce ambitious works at that location. in the Garden—essentially a memorial Avenue. As BCH’s chief real estate officer productions at the Huntington Ave. theatre The Huntington Board of Trustees is ready service—called “A Celebration of the Prouty Charles Weinstein implausibly told a (including the brilliant recent staging of A to be a partner in buying or developing the Garden.” There were toasts, prayers, songs Boston Civic Design Commission (BCDC) Little Night Music), and 80, 000 other theatre- properties, including an ambitious capital and reflections by hospital chaplains. Dawn subcommittee, operating-room doctors need to goers will attend shows at the Calderwood campaign to convert the theatre into a “first- redwood seed packets and tiny containers of be close to research animals. Pavilion in the South End. rate, modern venue.” Meanwhile, neighbors Garden soil were distributed. BCH has pursued the pedestrian bridge So what’s ahead for the Huntington? and subscribers hope that the theatre company Two related developments were over Longwood for more than a decade— Although BU has put the theatre and the will continue to be a part of the Fenway’s rich also in the news: on Oct. 15 the Boston apparently the Menino administration did not adjoining buildings on the market, Huntington cultural scene. Redevelopment Authority board unanimously favor the plan—and this year the approval will be able to use the space through 2017. For more on the future of the Huntington approved the construction of a pedestrian process was expedited. Apart from the BCDC The company definitely wants to stay in the Theatre, see p. 5. Barbara Brooks Simons bridge over Longwood Avenue from the review, there were few questions. The BRA’s neighborhood, and will seek to buy the theatre lives in the East Fens and is chair of the patient garage at Blackfan Circle that will 2003 LMA Interim Guidelines designated the either on its own or in a new partnership. In Fenway News Board of Directors (as well as a connect to an expanded main lobby on the CHILDRENS HOSPITAL on page 2 > a message to subscribers, the company said longtime Huntington subscriber). MFA Fixes Its Gaze on Princes, Paupers of 1600s Holland BY JOHN ENGSTROM of oil paintings on canvas, wood and copper, will hang from Feb. 20 to May 29), Class But such things can, in any case, be seen on houghts of money and art (who buys images both formal and informal, group and Distinctions is organized thematically around any day in other parts of the MFA. European what art, for how much, and why?) solo portraits, landscapes, seascapes and issues and nuances of social stratification still lifes from the classical period and will stimulate you as you make your genre scenes—we encounter a heterogeneous in the Netherlands of the 1600s. These 72 later, from Courbet to Beckmann, currently way through the MFA’s sweeping, (though all-white) pictures (a tiny decorate the walls of the Visitor Center, new survey exhibit of 17th-century Dutch art: mass of social fraction of some 5 while interesting works by Class Distinction T types: nobles, million paintings artists De Bray, Hals, Avercamp, Ruisdael and Class Distinctions: Dutch Painting in the Age

of Rembrandt and Vermeer (through Jan. 18). stadtholders, MFA.ORG PHOTO: produced during Rembrandt hang in the MFA’s Netherlandish Despite the big-name draw of the title, there merchants the century) Art galleries on the second floor. The exhibit’s really are some choice Rembrandts (two from and merchant- were not made lone watercolor is Adriaen van de Venne’s the MFA’s collection) and Vermeers (from tycoons, soldiers at the behest of “The Winter King and Queen” from 1625- distinguished lenders) on hand for their fans and regents, King or Church. 26, an allegory of Protestant dominion over to ogle. But with 72 paintings (my count) on shipbuilders, After its citizens Europe that shares its subject matter with the walls in a quartet of enormous rooms, you ministers and kicked out the another MFA holding, Gerrit van Honthorst’s can also enjoy works by those famous artist’s tailors, prostitutes Spanish, northern grandiose oil “Triumph of the Winter Queen” luminous contemporaries: Anthony van Dyck, and housewives, Holland was not a of 1636. Jan Steen, Frans Hals, Gerard ter Borch, maids and possession of the The initial rooms of the exhibit “take it Pieter de Hooch, Jacob van Ruisdael, Adriaen princesses, Catholic empire from the top” with a flourish of aristocrats. Brouwer, and others of lesser fame but of no sailors and but a self-sufficient Depicted in the portraits and group scenes less piercing vision. paupers, haves republic, and Dutch are regents, a burgomaster, an alderman, Experienced together, these artists and have-nots, Reformed was two textile magnates, two stadtholders, a open up a collective portrait of the glorious, the one percent the state religion. stadtholder’s secretary, a book publisher, abundant, messy ferment of culture and and everybody These works were military officers, a city councilman, an creativity that was Holland in the 17th century, else. created for private importer of cloth from the East Indies during one of Western art’s most prodigious Splendidly buyers, from the (Indonesia), a merchant trader specializing explosions of aesthetic energy. The leading co-curated by upper tiers down in Russia and the Baltic, and a lawyer. Such artists of the day, with their feeling for human the MFA’s Ronni to those of modest pictures demonstrate the fact that certain characterization and spiritual atmosphere Baer and Ian “Ermgard Elisabeth van Dorth” (1624) by means. “The period human symbols of global capitalism—for and insight, transformed their Zeitgeist into Kennedy of the Paulus Moreelse of the oil painting,” example, the obscenely rich tycoon, the timeless images that simmer, persist and Nelson-Atkins writes critic John Berger “trophy wife”—haven’t left us. glow in the mind and memory. As we move Museum of Art in Ways of Seeing, John Berger argues that it was Frans Hals among the pictures—an engrossing assembly in Kansas City, Missouri (where the show “corresponds with the rise of the open art (represented here by group and solo portraits) market…. Many oil paintings were themselves whose paintings initiated the portraiture of simple demonstrations of what gold or money early capitalism. Clearly, other artists heeded could buy. Merchandise became the actual the call. One of the first pieces you set eyes subject-matter of works of art.” on, the 1624 portrait of Ermgard Elisabeth van VOTE Since the thematic focus is secular Dorth by Paulus Moreelse, is as much about NOVEMBER 3! Dutch society (with the exception of one displayed wealth—her ostentatious neck-ruff, church scene), you won’t find any still lifes, gold, pearls and other gem-stones—as it is a NOT SURE WHERE YOU VOTE? VISIT www.WhereDoIVoteMa.com mythological or Biblical scenes in the line-up; record of the noblewoman’s placid personal you won’t “find God” in any of these images. CLASS DISTINCTIONS on page 6 > 2 | FENWAY NEWS | NOVEMBER 2015

> CHILDRENS HOSPITAL from page 1 spaces rises more than 88 feet, not including cycle for crossing Longwood at Blackfan is Elkus Manfredi Architects changed the figure Longwood Avenue Corridor from Huntington the mechanicals. The Interim Guidelines only 11 seconds. That number changed in to 5% (a reduction, he calculates, of 1,200 car to the Riverway as a special study area recommend a maximum height facing the their BRA presentation to 21 seconds, and trips daily). Since this is hard to calculate with requiring additional scrutiny and attention for Longwood Corridor street wall of 75 feet. although consultants advised raising it to certainty, the hospital is also redesigning the development that has impacts on the street. The difficulties of crossing the 25-30 seconds, the timing is short and favors green space there and making room for addi- Because the Civic Design Commission intersection—especially for families with vehicles. tional retail in the ground floor of the garage. has specific guidelines for such pedestrian Obvious- (When BCH did not renew the lease for the bridges, before its members could review ly an enclosed Harvard Coop at 333 Longwood in 2012 the the project’s architectural merits they connector block lost a major retail presence—Starbucks had to determine whether this bridge was from the pa- and Boloco now are the nearby shops.) conceptually acceptable. BCDC’s mandate tient garage to BRA board member Ted Landsmark

is protecting the overall character of the ALISON PULTINAS PHOTO: the hospital is remarked at the October hearing that views city. Andrea Leers, an architect and BCDC a convenience from the bridge will be an educational member, said sky bridges don’t usually win for families. opportunity for families looking out over approval because of the negative impact on But the assign- the city. And the Boston Landmarks the public realm below. In the Medical Area ment for the Commissioners also saw a positive experience the commission has made exceptions when hospital’s con- in having a new perspective of the Hunnewell a proponent could demonstrate need from a sultants was to building. They are involved with design review critical care perspective. BCH distributed dawn redwood seeds at the service held for the find benefits because of a memorandum of agreement That meant BCH had to justify the bridge loss of the Prouty Garden—underneath the branches of a dawn not just for negotiated over the demolition of 55 Shattuck. by making it more than just a way to get to redwood. patients but Construction for the new clinical building and from parked cars car. It added remote for the com- begins early in 2016, and the Garden will check-in and discharge, lounges, toilets and strollers, toddlers and wheelchairs—were munity at large. An estimate for reducing close by February. The schedule for the bridge vending machines. And in a major change, cited as the most significant rationale for vehicular traffic on Longwood given at the project has not been announced. the hospital’s valet service will be housed building the bridge. A hospital presentation Sept. 28 LMA Forum was 20%, but at the Alison Pultinas lives on Mission Hill. there. The proposed garage addition adds 86 at the Sept. LMA Forum said that the walk Oct. 15 BRA board hearing, Sam Norod from Inventory Finds Trees in Surprisingly Good Shape, But Work Remains BY ALEXANDRA MALLOY tree coverage, which is 7 percent below the “There are all kinds of environmental benefits were actually in fair or good condition. ne of the last linear parks national average, according to a 2012 U.S. from having trees and particularly for having Zick called the results a glimmer of hope. designed by Frederick Law Forest Service report. The inventory cata- trees that are bigger.” “A major selling points of this plan is that if Olmsted, the Emerald Necklace, is loged more than 7,000 trees on more than Zick noted that previous guidelines we can get our trees to grow bigger and older, home to some of Boston’s oldest 200 acres within the Emerald Necklace, mak- and action from the Dukakis administration, they do exponentially more, environmentally. trees,O dating back more than 130 years. ing it a huge asset to Boston’s urban forest. updated roughly 15 years ago, asserted that So if a tree is 10 years old, it does a certain After its release in the spring of 2014, “We want an understanding of our [tree] the parks were in very poor condition. amount of work in terms of pollution the Emerald Necklace Conservancy’s tree canopy,” Oladapo-Johnson said. “It’s actually “Just as an observer, having not studied reduction or absorbing water. But if we get it inventory has developed a comprehensive Boston’s largest park system, so it does have the Emerald Necklace myself, living by the to grow 50 years, you don’t get five times the assessment and management plan that a large contribution to our urban canopy.” Emerald Necklace for years, I had the same improvement—it’s much more than that.” focuses on preservation of the trees and their Kyle Zick Landscape Architecture, impression,” he said. “You know, you see Although the actual inventory has been interactions with their environment. Inc., carried out the inventory, working all these big trees and you see all these completed, Zick says that the next step is Ray Oladapo-Johnson, director of park with the Conservancy, the cities of Boston dead branches, fallen branches. You see the continual engagement and reaching out to operations at the Conservancy, noted that the and Brookline, and the Massachusetts problems. So we went into it thinking that landowners and investors to focus on indi- inventory was largely undertaken to evaluate Department of Conservation and Recreation. the results of the inventory would say just vidual projects outlined within the plan. the interaction between trees and the public, “You can’t think of the benefit from the the same, that our forest is in bad shape and “It’s not going to be done in a year. It’s as well as to take a look at the condition of trees from any one perspective, because we’ve got a huge challenge.” something that’s going to [take] five years, heritage trees. “The connections between [some] people will think of them purely from In partnership with Bartlett Tree Experts, seven years, or ten years to accomplish,” Zick roadways or pathways—areas of high usage— a recreational standpoint, other people will Zick’s firm developed a plan designed to said. “We already have some good successes and the trees around them, we need to make think of them from a historic standpoint, increase overall health and growth for both with initial projects.” sure those trees are safe,” he said. because it’s part of Frederick Law Olmsted’s individual trees and the urban forest. Results Alexandra Malloy is a journalism major at As a city, Boston only has 28 percent masterpiece,” said firm founder Kyle Zick. showed that over half the trees surveyed Northeastern University.

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E takeout. ST 63 ABLISHED 19  Fenway residents: Book a party or fundraiser and get free room and light appetizers COMING for your group! SOON: PAINT NIGHT ESTABLISHED 1963 & KARAOKE! 1270 BOYLSTON STREET • 617-867-6526 WWW.THEBASEBALLTAVERN.COM FENWAY NEWS | NOVEMBER 2015 | 3 IN CASE YOU MISSED IT A LOT HAPPENED IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS SINCE THE LAST ISSUE, INCLUDING... BRA Will Fund Fenway Beautification Projects With Red Sox Money Samuels & Associates’ latest West Fens development. The Pierce, broke Nonprofit organizations that dream of beautifying parks and other creative projects in the ground. It will stack 28 stories of condos and apartments above two levels Fenway have a new chance to find funding. A total of $200,000 is now available through of retail at the ground floor. The Boston Globe reports that Chinese investors the Boston Redevelopment Authority (BRA) as part of a package of “community benefits” provided a significant chunk of the development’s $300 million tab, including from the agreement that gave the Red Sox control over Yawkey Way (plus air rights on $49.5 million gathered through the federal EB-5 visa program, which jumps Lansdowne Street). It was perhaps meant to mollify the Fenway neighborhood for the traffic, noise, and other inconveniences caused by Red Sox games and the growing number foreign investors to the front of the line for a green card when they sink at of off-season concerts and other events at Fenway Park. Under that agreement the Red least $500,000 into a US business a 888 Boylston Street, the Sox promised $100, 000 a year for ten years. The BRA now has the first two payments 17-story office building under construction on the and has issued an request for proposals inviting neighborhood groups to apply for funds Boylston Street side of the Prudential Center, held for beautification projects. The deadline is November 10. Applicants need to submit a a topping-off ceremony. a TJX announced that detailed plan and budget, describing how their project or service will contribute to the TJ Maxx will move into the 45,000-square-foot neighborhood, as well as their experience in managing such projects. A group can apply for up to $50,000. For further details on applying to the Fenway Community Benefits Fund, IC MI retail space at the corner of Newbury Street and contact Nicholas Martin (617-918-4426) or [email protected]. Mass. Ave., opening sometime next spring. Once the home of Tower Records, then Virgin Records, Remembering Gunther Schuller then Best Buy, it has been vacant since spring Gunther Schuller, the late president of New England Conservatory and an innovative 2012. a Harvard’s T.H.Chan School of Public Health force in American music, would have been 90 years old this month. Many concerts and Y events, planned to celebrate this milestone prior to his death last June, will now become released a report that will likely reverberate in politics, architecture and other fields for months to come. In a study conducted with SUNY and tributes to his memory. Many are at NEC, while others will take place at MIT, the Boston Conservatory, Church of the Advent, and other venues all over Boston. Syracuse University, researchers found that normal workplace interior Concerts at NEC include the Contemporary Ensemble on Nov. 9, the Percussion finishes can dramatically affect how well the brain works. The study found Ensemble on Nov. 15, and “Gunther Schuller: A Musical Celebration” on Nov. 19. Boston that dramatic but easily achieved cuts in the levels of carbon dioxide Conservatory will present Schuller’s Composition for Carillon (Nov. 17) and Horn Quintet and chemicals given off by paint, furniture, and carpets improved brain (Nov. 21), while his Organ Symphony will have its world premiere at Church of the Advent function in nine different areas—in one case by nearly 300%. (See www. on Nov. 20. hsph.harvard.edu/news/press-releases/green-office-environments- Gardner Museum Names New Director linked-with-higher-cognitive-function-scores/). a An icon of Old(er) Boston bites the dust: Medieval Manor, the slightly ridiculous dinner theater Another Fenway institution has chosen a new director, following the recent appointments of new leaders at the MFA and Handel+Haydn Society. Peggy Fogelman, an experienced built around the idea of a medieval feast, will close by the end of the year. curator and museum education specialist, will become the new head of the Isabella Stewart Now located in the South End, it occupied the basement of the then-shabby Gardner Museum. She currently oversees collections at the Morgan Library and Museum Eliot Hotel throughout the 1970s. a More closings: Citibank will shut its in New York and served as its acting director Boston branches (roughly 20) by the end of the year, including the one during its search for a new director. Before on Boylston Street in the West Fens. a BU’s Alan and Sherry Leventhal the Morgan, she worked at the Metropolitan Museum in New York, the Getty Museum in Los Welcome Center on Baystate Road received a 2015 Achievement Award Angeles, and the Peabody-Essex in Salem. In an from the Boston Preservation Alliance. Architects Goody Clancy reworked interview with WBUR-FM, Fogelman said, “I’ve PHOTO: GARDNERMUSEUM.ORG PHOTO: the former Hillel House, preserving its unusual International Style design dedicated my entire career to the intersection from 1953. a A plan to build a hotel and apartments on BRA-owned land of art and people, and that’s what I really care east of Dudley Square has emerged from political limbo. Nieghborhood about, and that’s what museums are all about.” As a museum educator, she hopes to improve activists wanted a union hotel, but developer Urbanica balked, and the the way visitors understand the Gardner’s varied BRA put the project on hold while the parties duked it out. Ultimately, and eclectic collections. (Coincidentally, both the Morgan Library and the Gardner began Marriottagreed to start wages at $18 an hour and kick money into a jobs- as private collections.) Fogelman will begin work at the Gardner in January, succeeding training program for. Construction should start next spring. Anne Hawley, who held the post for more than 25 years.

FENSFund Celebrates Fenway Writers!

Join us on December 3 for the announcement of the winners of the 2015 Fenway Writers’ Contest! Mingle with neighbors and meet the winners. Refreshments will be served. Free admission.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3 FREE! 6:30 P.M. FENSGATE COMMUNITY ROOM Sponsored by FENSFund, with 73 HEMENWAY STREET support from the Fenway/Mission IN THE EAST FENS Hill Neighborhood Trust. FENSFund is a nonprofit dedicated to enriching cultural life among neighbors in the Fenway. Want to know more? Contact FUN! us at [email protected] DESIGNED BY PRO BONO GRAPHICO (AND NICELY, TOO) NICELY, (AND PRO BONO GRAPHICO DESIGNED BY 4 | FENWAY NEWS | NOVEMBER 2015

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When Plans Snub Good Urban Design, Neighborhood Loses FENWAY NEWS ASSOCIATION BY MARC LADERMAN BOARD OF DIRECTORS Street by pulling building facades along the street well away from the Kelsey Bruun • Steve Chase • Helen Cox good neighborhood is built one block at a time, one street at sidewalk. If built, all that will be left on the side of Ruggles Street Ruth Khowais • Alison Pultinas a time. The positive take on this incremental approach is that will be a few isolated bus shelters. The street will be abandoned by Barbara Brooks Simons • Steve Wolf improving just one block is worthwhile. The downside is that pedestrians and left to serve only the needs of vehicles. EDITOR: Duke Harten an area’s appeal can become eroded by the same method— A WEB TEAM: Stephen Brophy, block by block. he idea of what constitutes urbanism has evolved significantly Kelsey Bruun Our neighborhood sees a lot of new development. It is such in the past few decades, with broad agreement on general a popular area that new investments in the education, healthcare, Tprinciples of good urban design. The plans for Ruggles Street DESIGN/PRODUCTION DIRECTOR: Steve Wolf entertainment, retail and housing industries provide continuous violate a number of those principles. The design doesn’t contribute to transit-oriented development. WRITERS: Alison Barnet, Stephen Brophy, opportunities for improvement. The rich and the powerful are spending Will Brownsberger, Kelsey Bruun, Density is not concentrated near the transit hub with a tapering Helen their money here. Cox, Tracey Cusick, Margot Edwards, John The most significant driver of the Fenway’s popularity is access of density away from the hub, Retail- and café-lined streets are Engstrom, Stan Everett, Lisa Fay, Marie to public transportation. Public transportation was the reason why not being created leading toward the transit hub. Ruggles is not Fukuda, Steve Gallanter, Galen Gilbert, the schools, hospitals, stadiums, being strengthened as a walkable street. The US Elizabeth Gillis, Katherine Greenough, stores and housing were established Green Building Council’s LEED guidelines for Sam Harnish, Steve Harnish, Rosie Kamal, in the neighborhood and public Guest Opinion neighborhood development call for walkable streets Sajed Kamal, Mandy Kapica, Steven Kapica, transportation sustains them. We’re a transit neighborhood and transit- to have building façades near the property line Shirley Kressel, Kristen Lauerman, Joanne oriented development is our best approach to future development adjacent to the sidewalk. But WIT’s proposal for 500 Huntington McKenna, Mike Mennonno, Letta Neely, and sustainability (both economic and ecological). Development that sets the project’s two large buildings back from Ruggles, creating an Catherine Pedemonti, Richard Pendleton, builds on our transportation infrastructure sustains the neighborhood abandoned street edge. Michael Prentky, Bill Richardson, Barbara Separating pedestrian and vehicular traffic is poor urban design. Brooks Simons, Matti Kniva Spencer, Jamie and development that compromises transportation erodes the Thompson, Anne M. Tobin, Fredericka neighborhood. Pedestrians will feel unsafe during periods of low foot traffic. Vehicles Veikley, Chris Viveiros But what if the proposed development isn’t beneficial? What if will increase speed and be less tolerant of any remaining pedestrians in PHOTOGRAPHERS: Steve Chase, Lois each development dollar spent creates a weaker neighborhood? the corridor. This separation reinforces itself in a vicious cycle making Johnston, Mike Mennonno, Patrick To put these thoughts into sharper focus, almost 2 million it increasingly difficult to walk along the damaged paths. O’Connor, Valarie Seabrook, Matti Kniva square feet of new construction has been approved along Huntington Privatizing the pathways to and from Ruggles Station is another Spencer, Ginny Such, Steve Wolf Avenue between Massachusetts and Longwood avenues. That’s a lot bad idea. Remember Zuccotti Park, where the Occupy Wall Street CALENDAR: Stephen Brophy, Steve Wolf, of money invested in the future of the Fenway. Will this be beneficial protests took place? Private institutions can bar individuals, limit free Ruth Khowais, Barbara Brooks Simons development or will it erode the neighborhood? Let’s take a few blocks expression and impose their own rules on their property. While I’m PROOFREADERS: Steve Chase, Barbara as an example. Ruggles Street provides access to Ruggles Station no fan of cigarettes, Northeastern would restrict every individual from Brooks Simons with MBTA commuter rail, Orange Line and bus service. Beneficial smoking on their way to and from Ruggles. Do we really want those BUSINESS MANAGER: Jill Kimmel development would strengthen Ruggles Street as a pedestrian route to types of controls imposed upon us just to walk to the T? DISTRIBUTION: Della Gelzer, Aqilla Manna, and from Ruggles Station. What can be done? The individual developers are in danger of Lauren Dewey Platt, Reggie Wynn becoming bad stewards of the public realm. Are they just ignorant of That’s not how current plans work. Development proposals by The Fenway News is published monthly by the both Northeastern University and Wentworth Institute of Technology good urban design? If the neighborhood’s appeal suffers, so will their Fenway News Association, Inc., a community- call for a diversion of pedestrian traffic off of Ruggles Street investments. Are we willing to sacrifice Ruggles Street to educate the owned corporation dedicated to community and through their private pedestrian-path networks. Further the benighted rich and powerful to their own self-interest? journalism. If you would like to volunteer to development proposals seek to degrade the walkability of Ruggles Marc Laderman lives in the East Fens. write, edit, photograph, lay out, distribute, or sell advertising on commission, please contact us: The Fenway News, PO Box 230277, Astor Station Boston, MA 02123 Commission Okays Landmark Status for Historical Society [email protected] | www. n June 2011, Fenway resident Calvin Arey submitted fenwaynews.org a petition to designate the Massachusetts Historical Subscriptions $24/year ($15 for limited income) Society building at 1154 Boylston a city landmark. On October 13, the Boston Landmarks Commission (BLC) “Comforting the afflicted and Ivoted to move ahead with the designation process and add afflicting the comfortable.” the building to its priority list. The building, at the corner The founders of The Fenway News adopted this of Boylston and The Fenway, was designed by Edmund motto to express their mission of exposing and Wheelwright in 1897 and was the first institution of its kind opposing the dangers the neighborhood faced in in the United States. the early 1970s—rampant arson, unscrupulous At the hearing, BLC staff reported that all of the landlords, and a destructive urban renewal property studies identified in the 2015 work plan were plan. If the original motto no longer fits either completed or in progress. They requested the today’s Fenway, we continue to honor its addition of another property in order to continue working spirit of identifying problems and making our neighborhood a better and safer place to live. while awaiting commission approval of the 2016 work plan. The Massachusetts Historical Society building was suggested because of its high level of significance and because the designation has owner support. BLC staff > FREQUENCY < noted that even though the building faces no threats, The Fenway News reaches the stands every 4-5 weeks, usually on the first designation would provide it the recognition it deserves. or last Friday of the month. Our next issue The original petition, signed by 14 Boston voters, called for will appear on Friday, DECEMBER 4. protecting the exterior of the building only. > DEADLINE < Arey has submitted more than half a dozen petitions The deadline for letters, news items, and ads for notable buildings in the neighborhood that were listed is Friday, NOVEMBER 27. eligible for Boston landmark status in a 1983 BLC survey of > ADVERTISING < the Fenway. —ALISON PULTINAS Contact our business manager at [email protected] LMA CYCLISTS GEAR UP FOR ADVOCACY Later...But Still Timely he first-ever Longwood Area Cycling Greenway Alliance since 2011 and has been This year, Thanksgiving and Summit at the Jimmy Fund Auditorium commuting by bike to Longwood for seven When you’re New Year’s Eve fall in a way that on October 21 was organized by years. would make it hard for us (and StacyT King, CommuteWorks coordinator John Siemiatkoski, also a DFCI employee locked out, our printer) to stick to our normal at MASCO and hosted by David Read, a but in its Brookline Village office, described production schedule. So, to make senior administrator at Dana Farber Cancer improvements planned for next spring at the sure everyone can enjoy the Institute (DFCI). The Livable Streets Alliance Route 9 crossing near the Muddy River Path call us. holidays, The Fenway News will co-sponsored the well-attended lunchtime and additional changes that will improve appear one week later than usual presentation—a kick off for the Longwood cycling connections for the Emerald Necklace, Mass Ave Lock in December (Friday, Dec. 4) and Medical Area (LMA) Bike Network, an including eliminating an underutilized again in January (Friday, Jan. 7). effort to mobilize those already converted to Riverway exit. 125 St. Botolph St. commuting by bike to collectively become The state-funded Charlesgate Greenway work for improved biking conditions. project, presented by Rob Adams of Halvorson 617-247-9779 Speakers from MassDOT, the Boston Design, creates a new connection from the Family-owned and -operated. Transportation Dept., and advocacy groups Esplanade through the former dog park near 40 years and counting. were all given two minutes to proselytize. the Mass. Ave. Bridge, travelling underneath They stressed the bigger picture, a regional two flyovers, and then connecting to Beacon Lockouts  Master Key Systems approach to connectivity but still needing Street near the Bowker Overpass. Another High-Security Key Systems local support for individual projects. public meeting is anticipated this month for Mailbox Keys Keys Made by Code Read has been chair of the East Coast the project. —ALISON PULTINAS Door Closers  Deadbolts FENWAY NEWS | NOVEMBER 2015 | 5 Now That BU Has Withdrawn Support, Where Does Huntington Turn? BY KELSEY BRUUN explained.While the university understands Company will succeed in finding a partner. no doubt.” ith the Huntington Theatre that a renovation of the theater is necessary, “There are lots of creative possibilities,” she Kelsey Bruun is a journalism major at Company’s future up in the funding it is not in the school’s best interest, said. “There is a cultural hero out there, I have Northeastern University. air, community members have as the space is located two miles away from its expressed their desire for the other facilities. “If we were to invest in a new beloved theatre to remain in the same space. academic program, it needs to be adjacent to BRA GREENLIGHTS NEXT PHASE OF W the other programs,” he explained. “We’ve been contacted by people that are expressing their support and best wishes,” said Nicksa added that much of the renovation AVENUE OF THE ARTS DEVELOPMENT is immaterial to BU’s academic strategy. For the Huntington’s managing director Michael n Oct. 15, the Boston Redevelopment Authority board approved “Avenue instance, he said, “There is very little front- Maso. of the Arts Design Guidelines.” As urban designer David Grissino of the of-the-house patron space. Adding [space] Kelly Brilliant, executive director of BRA explained, the guidelines aren’t zoning—they’re recommendations. is important to them. Patron space is not the Fenway Alliance, agrees with the public As he put it, the guidelines are “a toolkit to organize the urban form” on important to the academic program.” sentiment. “It’s the most beautiful and HuntingtonO Ave. between Longwood and Massachusetts avenues. Approved insti- In short, the Huntington has to figure out intricate space in Boston and it has some of tutional master plan projects on the avenue already have zoning entitlements but a way to raise funds to renovate the facility the best performances,” she said. “It really are still in the conceptual phase, not ready for Article 80B large-project review. without BU’s support. adds to the cultural vibrancy of this area. We The BRA’s study is the next step in getting that portion of things underway. “Our desire is to buy the property, but don’t want to lose that.” The guidelines particularly focus on future development on the Northeastern do it with partners,” said Maso. “We have Maso explained that even if the and Wentworth campuses as well as the Museum of Fine Arts. Criticisms raised at the had conversations with a number of potential Huntington is able to remain in the space, the public meetings for te guideline were reflected in more than 25 pages of comments partners. We’re really open to anyone that’s community will have to say goodbye for some submitted to the BRA (www.bostonredevelopmentauthority.org/getattachment/ interested: a private developer, another non- amount of time. “We’ll be out of the property f0af36b3-1214-46f8-887c-83fab70f8a57). It remains to be seen how the neighboring profit, a university.” by June 2017, either because someone else institutions will resolve their differences, particularly over Wentworth’s proposed Maso envisions the partner helping to has purchased it or we’re renovating it,” Maso tower complex at Huntington and Ruggles Street, across from the museum (see “When renovate the theater and using the space next said. “The space needs a major investment; Plans Snub Urban Design, Neighborhood Loses” on page 4). to theater for commercial development. He there are years of deferred maintenance.” —ALISON PULTINAS Gary Nicksa, senior vice president said the Huntington would like to have a of operations at Boston University, agreed partner lined up by early next year. with Maso’s assessment. “Our decision was Brilliant, of the Fenway Alliance, driven by the condition of the facility,” he is confident that the Huntington Theatre WOMEN MUSICIANS NETWORK 19th CONCERT • Tuesday, November 10 • 8:00 pm (doors at 7:30) Dashboard • Berklee Performance Center  STREET CLEANING Featuring Berklee women students and their bands from around the world. The City cleans Fenway streets • SECOND FRIDAY 11 original acts—jazz, gospel, blues, between 12 and 4pm on the first and 8 to 54 The Fenway (includes inside electro-pop, rock, Spanish/Indian third Wednesdays of each month (odd- lane) and Charlesgate Extension, 12:00– fusion, and more. With special guests numbered side) and the second and 3:00pm ONCE AGAIN, IT’S A Nedelka Prescod, Maureen McMullan, fourth Wednesdays (even-numbered • THIRD TUESDAY LIFETIME SHOW and the Pletenitsa Balkan Choir.

side). More info at 617-635-4900 or www. - > Park Drive (includes inside lane), upper DIRECTED BY cityofboston.gov/publicworks/sweeping. Boylston Street, 8:00am–12:00pm A Lucy Holstedt & Christiane Karam The state cleans streets along the Back - > Park Drive, from Holy Trinity Orthodox TICKETS Bay Fens on this schedule: Cathedral to Kilmarnock Street and IN www.berklee.edu/BPC • SECOND THURSDAY from the Riverside Line overpass to - $8 advance/$12 day of show The Riverway, 12:00–3:00pm Beacon Street, 12:00–3:00pm BOX OFFICE 617-747-2261 • SECOND FRIDAY Visit www.mass.gov/dcr/sweep.htm for a SUPPORTED BY THE OFFICE FOR DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION AT BERKLEE COLLEGE OF MUSIC. The Fenway (includes inside lane), complete schedule and maps. ONCE Charlesgate Extension and Forsyth Way,

8:00am–12:00pm Kaji Aso Studio “A Spot of Beauty”  TRASH & RECYCLING PICK-UP Thirteenth Annual Art Exhibition • BACK BAY (contractor is Sunrise Scavenger): Trash pick-up on Monday and Thursday. Recycling pick-up on Monday and Thursday. • FENWAY (contractor is Sunrise Scavenger): Trash pick-up on Tuesday Prudential Center and Friday. Recycling pick-up on Tuesday and Friday. Huntington Arcade- Winter Garden • MISSION HILL (contractor is Sunrise Scavenger): Trash pick-up on Tuesday and Friday. Recycling pick-up on Tuesday and Friday. November 5 – 21, 2015 Free and open to the public

Opening Reception: Saturday, November 7th from 3 to 5 pm Evening of Music: Friday, November 13th from 7:30 to 9pm Japanese Calligraphy: Saturday November 14th from 1 to 6 pm The markets end the ROXBURY CROSSING T STATION (ORANGE LINE) Special thanks to: Mission Hill / Fenway Neighborhood Trust, Inc. week of Thanksgiving. Tuesday 12:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m. Look for apples, Whole Foods Market / Symphony Sushi / Japonaise Bakery pears, saladFarmer’s greens, COPLEY SQUARE Markets broccoli, kale, Tuesday & Friday through 11/24 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. Information: 617-247-1719 [email protected] cabbage, potatoes, MISSION HILL: VETERANS MEMORIAL PARK (HUNTINGTON/FRANCIS ) www.kajiasostudio.com onions, pumpkins Thursday through 11/21 11:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. 6 | FENWAY NEWS | NOVEMBER 2015

Sure-footed Handel + Haydn Opens Bicentennial with Deft ‘Requiem’ Fans Throng Streets for Berklee’s Jazz Festival BY STEPHEN BROPHY istening to Mozart’s Requiem is always a complex The annual Berklee process, at least after you’ve heard it for the first Beantown Jazz Festival time. The orchestra seems to have its own voice, welcomed thousands which shares an equal role with the singers, to the South End on Lrather than just providing context and accompaniment. Saturday, Sept 26, for And within the orchestra the voices of the various an afternoon of jazz, GREEN DAVE PHOTOS: instruments stand out individually more frequently than Latin, blues, funk, we’re used to in orchestral music, and each makes its own and groove music. In contribution to the overall effect. addition to music, the Hearing all these individual voices is just the festival offered array of beginning—it becomes even more interesting to hear food vendors and free them in relation to each other, and to recognize the effects activities for kids like of piano and forte, soft and loud. The many tones and facepainting, KidsJam, feelings this intricate interlacing creates takes all of our and an “instrument attention to fully, deeply hear. Then there are the human petting zoo.” voices. In the rendition I heard last month in Symphony Hall, offered by the incomparable Handel + Haydn Society, they wove their own ways into the overall pattern, both the soloists (Lauren Snouffer, soprano; Hannah Pedley, mezzo- soprano; Robert Murray, tenor; and Dashon Burton, bass- baritone) and the always marvelous chorus brought the intense feeling of this memorial for the dead to throbbing, weeping life. Those of us who have seen Amadeus (probably the best movie ever made about a musician) have to contend with the complexity of our own feelings about Mozart’s life and work and death. In that film, of course, the Requiem gives shape to the climactic sequence, in which we see the composer dying as he struggles to dictate as much of it as he can to Antonio Salieri, who has been his nemesis but is now his amanuensis. That’s what we carry into the concert hall. Seeing the Requiem performed by H+H, as I did on Oct. 4, might further complexify all these elements, but it also brings a wonderful clarity to the experience. Harry Christophers carries this abundance of voices in his head, and his hands HANDEL & HAYDN on page 7 >

> CLASS DISTINCTIONS from page 1 thoughtful-looking, white-bearded husband 50); the snapshot immediacy of gesture in encompasses beggars begging, grotesque appearance. with an urgent note as he pores over maritime Job Berckheyde’s “Office of a Notary Public” figures leaping and dancing, paupers A description of Class Distinctions diagrams. Because of Rembrandt’s supreme (1672); the robust, almost fragrant textures collecting bread at a food bank, an won’t pass muster without mentioning the gift for characterization, his Shakespeare- of Berckheyde’s “The Baker” (c. 1681—stout impoverished boy eating gruel. Adriaen two Vermeers. “A Lady Writing” (c. 1665) like empathy, you can “read” the old man’s loaves of bread and giant pretzels are for van de Venne’s sepia-toned “Poor Luxury” from The National Gallery in Washington, is life story through the lines on his face. sale); the documentary realism of “Interior (1635) invites us into a Breugelesque vision a small but atmospheric, almost eerie study The woman’s face brims with specificity. of a Tailor’s Workshop” (Quiringh van of disorderly, cavorting “low life” that was of a well-to-do woman in a fur-trimmed Marvellously drawn and choreographed, the Brekelenkams, 1655-60). As the tailor and his crafted in order to convey a moral message. yellow jacket “caught in the act” of putting large piece is a bravura exposure of gesture apprentices go about their work, the mistress One of Adriaen Brouwer’s characteristic pen to paper as she of the house cooks dioramas of lower-class foibles, “Interior of an casts an enigmatic dinner and that Inn” (1630), shows drunken, marginal yokels half-smile at the unmistakably cold, guzzling, puking and passing out. According viewer. It contains gray, forbidding to John Berger, Brouwer’s “pictures of cheap more of the artist’s MFA.ORG PHOTO: light of northern taverns and those who ended up in them, are beloved signature Holland filters painted with a bitter and direct realism which traits—transcendent through the tall precludes sentimental moralizing. As a result lighting, opulent windows. his pictures were never bought.” Except by detail—than does “Laborers” Rembrandt! Go figure. the other Vermeer and “The Indigent” The last room, “The Classes Meet,” on view, the occupy the exposes cross-sections of the varied social equally mysterious penultimate room groups of Holland as they mingle and interact. “Astronomer” with scenes and The scenes range from a bustling crowd spread (1668, from the activities of stark across a frozen canal (by Hendrick Avercamp, Louvre). The immediacy. Isack c. 1620) to a rustic festival (Jan Steen, c. 1676, exhibit planners van Ostade’s “The Fair at Warmond”) that carries overtones have gratuitously “Workmen Before of Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Well-dressed shoveled onto an Inn” (1645) aristos hobnob with bedraggled paupers in an the audio guide a captures the horse- especially pristine work by Steen (1665, “The brief recording of drawn delivery Burgher of Delft and His Daughter”). The Massachusetts poet of enormous beer cast of characters in an urban household scene Gail Mazur making barrels, while “Pig (“Street Musicians at the Door” by Jacob pithy comments on Vermeer’s “A Lady Writing” (c. 1665) Slaughter” (1642) by the same artist shows Ochtervelt, 1665) comprises a stunningly the “Lady Writing.” us the porcine carcass as male peasants attired mistress with her daughter and maid as (“Vermeer hasn’t been able to invade her and intimacy in everyday terms. (Rembrandt’s labor to clean the beast’s body parts and two they’re being entertained by ragged serenaders privacy because she is so in it,” she observes.) full-length portrait of Andries de Graeff from children play with the bladder, in a scene of (who are pointedly not invited indoors). But this is a show of such caliber that it 1639, in another gallery, is also fine, although dimness, dirt and sprawling clutter. Isack’s Alongside the paintings in the last gallery doesn’t need Vermeerean glamor or cachet to it did not sit too well with its subject.) brother, Adriaen van Ostade’s “The Fishwife” are three cases of objects from the period that give it strength, depth, and importance. In the same room as the wall of (1672) delivers “portraits” of dead salt-water are associated with eating and status. Divided Around the corner from the pomposity Rembrandts is a series of paintings that steak fish of a vividness that approaches thematically according to the three classes, the of “power couples” and high-status male revealingly depict “Women at Work.” The two the olfactory. Renowned landscapist Jacob artifacts include authentic, richly embroidered groupings is an impressive wall of large images by Gerrit Dou (“Grocery Shop” from van Ruisdael’s “Plain of Haarlem With linens, silver, earthenware, etched glass, Rembrandts. From the MFA’s own collection 1647 and “Clearing the Table” from 1665- Bleaching Grounds” (1660-63) underscores pewter and brass. are two life-size solo portraits of Dutch 60) are interior scenes of hushed ambience the importance of the cloth trade to Holland’s Another durable function of capitalism Reformed Minister Johannes Elison and his and subtle lighting. The two Pieter de Hooch economy in those days. “The Knife Grinder’s that this show highlights, if not intentionally, spouse, Maria Bockenolle, both painted in pictures (1658, 1663) provide cinematic Family” (c. 1653) by Gerard ter Borch—the is the museum gift shop that you pass through 1634. From a year earlier is “Jan Rijcksen And intimacy in domestic scenes of rich, resonant only artist in the show to depict both “high” on your way out. Souvenir merchandise His Wife Griet Jans” (1633), a stunner from detail and deep-focus “camerawork.” Made and “low” subjects—shows a clan going about ranges from the foolish (plywood stools Queen Elizabeth II’s collection in England. in 1636, Jacob Backer’s “Half-Naked Woman its daily toil in a scene of physical decay. In adorned with faces from Rembrandt In contrast to the cold formality of the With a Coin” gives a startlingly “in your face” “A Farrier’s Shop” (1648) by Paulus Potter, and Vermeer, for $219), to the vulgar (a other marriage portraits, this one—more of view of a streetwalker baring her breasts dark clouds echo the sooty interior of a “Chinoiserie” jacket with blue and white an “action shot” in a film than a static portrait provocatively. Renaissance porn? You decide. blacksmith’s stall in an outdoor context of patterning at $175) and the noble (for $16, in a gallery—captures a lively moment in Near the “women’s wall” are pictures that scurrying dogs and roving chickens: an off- 19th-century Danish-American social activist the professional couple’s shared existence reflect the variety of trades and professions in the-cuff cross-section of farm life that is as Jacob Riis’s groundbreaking book of photo- (Rijcksen worked in the lucrative and essential Holland. Notice the funky, curling staircase of sharp as precision knife-work. journalism about the poor of New York, How ship-building trade). Jans interrupts her Isaak Koedijk’s “The Barber Surgeon” (1649- The section called “The Indigent” the Other Half Lives). John Engstrom lives in the West Fens. FENWAY NEWS | NOVEMBER 2015 | 7

BY JOHN ENGSTROM their first collaboration—they would natural actor with a wonderfully mobile face n paper, the go on to co-create the comic Der and freedom of movement—for concert attire BSO’s concert Rosenkavalier and several other she chose a vivid red dress—she can convince performances Nelsons, B.S.O. Find operas) based the text on the Attic you that there’s nothing she can’t do. If she of the Richard tragedy by Sophocles with touches chose to, as an actor she could make an effec- StraussO opera Elektra (Oct. 15 and Blood, Guts, and from Aeschylus and Euripides. tive Cleopatra in Shakespeare’s play or Mother 17) under conductor Andris Nelsons But for me, the artistic energy and Courage in Brecht’s. looked as if they could be set-ups for Musical Glory With inspiration of the opera doesn’t Elektra is one of opera’s most monstrous redundancy at more than one level. come from Greek antiquity at all: it characterizations. For this much-abused First, it’s a piece with which the Stand-out ‘Elektra’ comes from angst-ridden Northern princess of ancient Greece, getting her orchestra has already made history: Europe, a hot-house world of deadly adulterous mother and “stepfather” brutally in 1987, former music director disease, tormented spirituality murdered by her brother Orest to avenge their Seiji Ozawa led soprano Hildegard and sexual guilt—a landscape of father’s death is like getting an Academy Behrens and mezzo Christa Ludwig alienation that includes the macabre Award—it’s both her dearest hope and, when in “semi-staged presentations” that PHOTO: LIZA VOLL phantasmagorias of Hieronymus it happens, her personal glory. It also exhausts were repeated the following season Bosch and the prurient explorations and kills her. Goerke used her whole being— and made into a live recording, still of Sigmund Freud. an amalgam of voice, expression, gesture, available. A veteran and reminder of In keeping with this sicko welt- movement—to create a character very much the eighties Elektras, soprano Nadine anschauung, the psychology of Elek- larger than life. In so doing, she achieved Secunde, was in the large cast of the tra is notably twisted: throughout the monumentality in a monumental opera. A very concerts in the supporting part of hour and fifty minutes of its dura- great artist! the Palace Overseer. In the Ozawa tion, we are shocked by how much The concert format, though not performances she had played a lead: profound ill will, hostility and hatred artificially “semi-staged” like the Ozawa Elektra’s virginal, self-effacing sister exists between the generations of the affair, allowed the singers to move around Chrysothemis. Agamemnon family. Hofmannsthal’s freely and to interact richly with each other. Second, Nelsons’s undertaking of treatment wraps the austere original Elektra had a chair in which to recover from the one-act piece—which premiered in a mantle of made-up grotesquery: the more strenuous moments. Baritone James in 1909 with a libretto by Hugo von there is constant talk of gushing Rutherford, who has sung Wagner’s Hans Hofmannsthal based on his play— blood, diseased body organs, morbid Sachs at Bayreuth, was an ominous, dark- Andris Nelson leads Christine Goerke in “Elektra” could be seen as a bid to repeat the dreams and visions. Klytamnestra, voiced Orest. In terms of what people wore, and a bit of worry that we might encounter a success of last year’s Salome, another one-act the mother of Elektra, fears she is “decaying the show was like a high-society party where gigantic case of déjà vu: same-old, same-old. opera by Strauss on a classical subject that while fully alive,” and at one point she de- the men wear identical tuxedos but all the But the reality of the BSO’s Elektra, with plumbs the depths of lurid psychology and clares, “The marrow in my bones is melting.” women look intriguingly different from each projected supertitles and starring soprano deviant sex. Three of the present soloists You want to say, “Do tell.” We’re used to these other. As Chrysothemis, Gun-Brit Barkmin, Christine Goerke as the seething, vengeful, sang in those deservedly lauded programs: kinds of physical extremities from grade-B her ebony hair cut in a Louise Brooks bob, obsessed princess of royal Mycenae, canceled soprano Gun-Brit Barkmin (who had been horror movies; what’s startling is to find them wore a floor-length, silvery dress that matched out any initial misgivings one might have Nelsons’ Salome) as Chrysothemis, mezzo in a classical program at Symphony Hall. the shimmer of her sound. Jane Herschel, in had, at the same time that it skyrocketed Jane Henschel as Elektra’s guilt-ridden To the morbid, Gothic witches’ brew marvelous form and voice as Klytaemnestra, past expectations. Nelsons’s concert not murderess mother Klytamnestra, and tenor created by Hofmannsthal, Strauss added thick, had on a chic, glittery coat over a black gown, only eclipsed the Salome success, it simply Gerhard Siegel portraying the latter’s equally heavy layers of post-Romantic orchestration which made her appear “most royal” in a blew memories of the Ozawa endeavor guilty lover Aegisth. (Before the action begins, that crystallize the warped world view to Shakespearean way. out of the water, with inspired musical the latter two have killed Elektra’s father perfection. It’s music you can’t dance to— Maestro Andris Nelsons did not so much leadership, blazing vocal and instrumental Agamemnon, just home from the Trojan War.) although Elektra herself does a pretty good job lead the piece as unleash it in all of its furi- achievement, and profound, searing drama. Finally, Strauss himself, as he was when her big moment comes—but to which ous violence—hurtling, careening through the Thrilling propulsion and instrumental subtlety composing the work, feared that he might be you can have a nervous breakdown. At times, dense score but never letting go of the reins: were among the stand-out qualities of this recycling too many of the elements of Salome. the orchestra itself seems to go mad. In the though often loud, the music was never too performance. I certainly hope the BSO has Eventually he finished Elektra but he had to be opening chords, the instruments scream the loud. Soft passages were delicately expressive. recorded it or plans to. The animal roar of the talked into it. So we went to Symphony Hall motif associated with Agamemnon, later taken Nelsons’s gestures were like flashes of light- audience at the end was an understatement. feeling a mixture of pleasurable anticipation up by Elektra. ning that inspired the orchestra and singers to Hofmannsthal, Strauss’s librettist (it was In 1987 in Symphony Hall, the late Hil- incandescence. The ghoulish, sinister ambi- degard Behrens gave an Elektra of a theatrical ence of royal Mycenae was vividly re-created, intensity that was widely recognized, but her and the murder scene (carried out off-stage) NEW SERIES AT MISSION HILL LIBRARY singing was uneven. Christine Goerke is a was actually frightening. Like the chorus musico-dramatic force of nature, in complete of Greek tragedy and in Wagnerian opera, EXPLORES UNUSUAL WAYS OF MAKING MUSIC control of the part and of her own resources. Strauss’s bloated orchestra exists as a counter- BY RUTH KHOWAIS Her sound is big, warm and opulent, her point to the dramatic action: no matter what utting-edge, original music and sound by students in the Fenway instrument flexible and versatile. She could happens it is always there—commenting, re- and Mission Hill were featured at an event held at the Parker Hill easily be heard above and through the oceanic acting, interpreting on the cataclysmic events. library branch on October 8. Local sound artist Judy Dunaway, sound of an orchestra of over 100 players; her Afterward I thought, who needs theater and who lives on Mission Hill and teaches at MassArt, organized this bright high notes cut like swords; her dark, fully staged performances when you can have Cevent as part of a series to showcase innovative types of musical creations. rich lower registers were powerfully expres- something of this magnitude and magnificence “These are original works that students have created on their own,” said sive. (At New York’s Metropolitan Opera in a concert? Dunaway. “No one has told them how to be innovative.” And innovative they this season, she sings Puccini’s Turandot.) A John Engstrom lives in the West Fens. were. Ethan Hamby a student at MassArt, kicked off the show with Empty > HANDEL & HAYDN from page 6 Jars, an installation designed “to awaken our senses.” For this musical direct the singers and instrumentalists as they weave together a community of event, Hamby, a professional potter, turned his lush pottery creations into sound. We hear more clearly the contribution of the brass; we allow the solo voices instruments that play music he says is about listening, feeling, feeding, and to carry us further into the monumental lamentation; we feel we are inflating as the sustaining the life force. chorus grows from a whisper to a roar. As another standing ovation brings another A music technology student at Northeastern, Connor Eichinger, Symphony Hall concert to a close, you roar back at the chorus when they take their presented a special version of his multichannel work Vorticose previously bows. As expected, it has been another tremendous experience. featured at the Sound Horizons 40-Speaker Music festival at Northeastern. This was the first event in another bicentennial season loaded with musical The acoustic piece, played on a computer, is a symphony of sometimes delights for the H+H audience. On the weekend The Fenway News hits the streets, jarring, sometimes melodic sounds. At first the piece sounded as if it Oct. 30 and Nov 1., guest conductor Richard Egarr will lead a celebration of Italian were computer-generated, but Eichinger explained that every sound in baroque music in Jordan Hall, the other world class auditorium just down the his composition is actually a recording he made of a spinning object. He street from Symphony Hall. Egarr will return in late February 2016 to conduct an all skillfully wove the sounds together to form a composition. Beethoven program which includes Robert Levin’s soloing on the 4th piano concerto, Audience interaction was the focus of a sound installation by Pat along with Symphony #6, aka the “Pastoral.” Davivongas, a graduate student at MassArt, exploring the concept of The holiday season brings the always-popular Handel’s Messiah, and the annual being lost and un-lost. Volunteers from the audience came onstage and Bach Christmas program offered in the more intimate splendor of Jordan Hall. The moved and waved colored panels that changed the musical composition. season also includes an all-Haydn program, with 2 symphonies and an only recently Also featured was an electronic composition from Zach Sengstock, an rediscovered violin concerto, given wings by concertmaster Aisslynn Nosky; an electronic composition and design student at Berklee College of Music and evening of chamber music put together by Nosky, including works of Mozart and a jazz quartet from New England Conservatory that performed miniature Beethoven; and two oratorios - Bach’s St. John Passion and Handel’s Saul. improvisations. Season subscriptions are still available as well as individual tickets—all of which Dunaway was inspired to start this series by a former gallery and can be found at handelandhaydn.org. Here is a complete list of the season’s major performance space on Huntington Ave that featured local students doing offerings. But be sure to check the website for other appearances in such venues as very original and avant garde works. She said that these performances King’s Chapel and the Boston Public Library in Copley Square. reminded her of her own days in the lively art scene in New York’s East Stephen Brophy lives in the East Fens. Village in the 1980s and 1990s. Dunaway noted that there are a lot of colleges and universities with sound and music programs in the Fenway and Mission Hill area, yet the area lacks sufficient venues for them. Her next concert is scheduled for December 10. Check the details on Dunaway’s website at www.jeweltone16.org/newideas. Ruth Khowais lives in the West Fens. 8 | FENWAY NEWS | NOVEMBER 2015

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orchestra. 8 pm, Sanders Theatre, Harvard program at the Copley Square Public Yard, Cambridge. Tickets $20 general O, Fortuna! Our Valves Library on Richard Wagner’s debt to Ludvig admission/ $10 students, seniors. Scream for Appeasement, von Beethoven, and how he repaid it, in full. In the Commonwealth Salong, 2:30-4:30pm. for Ignatius J. is Nigh! www.bpl.org/central/calendar.htm#/?i=1 PHOTO: SHAYD JOHNSON SHAYD PHOTO: The Huntington Theatre Company FREE presents an adaptation of John SAT—SUN, NOV 14-15: The annual Open Kennedy Toole’s Pulitzer-Prize- Studios weekend at the historic Fenway All events take place at the Peterborough winning novel, A Confederacy of Studios at 30 Ipswich. Tour the building and Senior Center, two blocks from Boylston Dunces. Adapted by playwright live-work studios and watch artists at work between 100 and 108 Jersey St. (Walk Jeffrey Hatcher, the play features in a variety of media. 11 am–6 pm. FREE down the alley and look left.) For more the misadventures of a larger- but donation of a non-perishable food item information, call 617-536-7154. than-life eccentric in 1960s New for the annual to benefit the Greater Boston Orleans. Actor Nick Offerman Food Bank is requested. RECURRING (Parks and Recreation) takes on SUN, NOV 15: Paco Pena Flamenco Dance TUESDAYS the Reilly role. Times and tickets Company present Flamencura, a show that • 9:30am—Coffee hour at www.Huntingtontheatre.org or combines singing, instrumental music, and, • 11am—Exercise with Mahmoud 617-266-0800. of course, flamenco. Berklee Performance • 11am—Trivia! Center, 7:30pm, tickets $30-37-42-48. • noon—Hot lunch and movie Tickets at the box office or throughwww. WEDNESDAYS THROUGH NOV 15: Underground Railway of an ongoing ten-session course, continues berklee.edu • 9:30am—Coffee hour Theater and Central Square Theater pair its close look at the science, economics, TUE, NOV 17: BU Chamber Orchestra plays that revolve around Albert Einstein’s technology, and society that influenced the • 10am—Blood pressure screening presents a program of Beethoven, Wagner, work. Einstein’s Dreams examines the masterpieces in the MFA’s current exhibit THURSDAYS and the 13-instrument version of Aaron gap between Einstein the humble patent “Class Distinctions: Dutch Painting in the • 9:30am—Coffee hour Copland’s Appalachian Spring. Tsai clerk and the singular theoretician about Age of Rembrandt and Vermeer.” Course • 11am—Music with Berklee students Performance Center, 685 Comm. Ave., 8pm. to release his world-altering theory continues on Wednesdays through Dec. 16, • all day—Book Swap More info at www.bu.edu/cfa/news-events/ of relativity. Michael Frayn’s drama 1:00–2:30pm. Remis Auditorium, Museum events/?eid=171041 FREE. Copenhagen, focuses on the 1941 meeting of Fine Arts. Individual sessions: members SPECIAL EVENTS WED, NOV 18: between Germany’s Walter Heisenberg $28/nonmenbers $35. Massachusetts Historical TUE, NOV 3: 9:30am: Coffee hour (every Tues, Society hosts a panel discussion tailor-made and Denmark’s Neils Bohr—colleagues WED, NOV 4– SUN, NOV 15: 27th annual Jewish Wed, Thurs) for the Fenway and Mission Hill: The New divided by a world war and both children Film Festival, celebrating Jewish history • 10am: Reiki and Meditation Economy: Eds and Meds, 1980s to Today, of Einstein’s work. Performances Thu-Sun; and culture with contemporary films from part of its series “Transforming Boston: • 11:00am: Exercise with Mahmoud (every find times atwww.CentralSquareTheater. around the world. At various venues around From Basket Case to Innovation Hub.” A week) org. Tickets $20-59, with senior and Boston, including the MFA, ICA, Coolidge panel of developers and academics discusses • 11:00am: Trivia with Maureen (every student discounts. Corner Theatre, and West Newton Cinema. the evolution of universities and hospitals week) THROUGH NOV 19: The exhibit “Works in Go to www.bjff.org for details on other from sleepy Brahmin backwaters to sources • Noon: Hot Lunch (every week) Dry Media” features drawings in pencil, venues and tickets. of fantastic wealth for the region. But that • 1:00pm: Middlemarch movie screening graphite, and pen. At Kaji Aso Studio. 40 St. WED. NOV. 5-21: Kaji Aso Studio presents wealth also fuels an unending appetite for pt 1 Stephen St. Free. its annual art show “A Spot of Beauty” at expansion, as residents of neighboring areas WED, NOV 4: 9:30am: Blood Pressure THROUGH SUN, NOV 22: Wheelock Family the Prudential Center. The show features well know. How can Boston and the region Screening (every week) paintings, drawing, and sculpture by local Theater presents The Trumpet of the balance the benefits of eds and meds and • 9:30: Knitting/Crocheting (every week) Swan. For a play that revolves around artists. Join them on Sat., Nov. 7 for a the costs they impose on their neighbors? • Noon: Watercolors with Bill (first communicating (based on the E.B. White free reception with the artists. Prudential 6pm at MIT’s Stata Center (Vassar and Wednesday of each month) book), Wheelock has cast in the title role; a Center, Huntington Arcade-Winter Garden Main streets, Cambridge). $10. More • Noon: Bingo deaf actor who delivers his lines using ASL. (across from Barnes & Noble). FREE. info and registration (required) at www. • 1:00pm: Middlemarch movie screening, Fri at 7:30pm, Sat-Sun at 3pm. Tickets $20- SAT, NOV 7: The MFA offers a gallery talk masshist.org/calendar. 38. Tickets and more information at www. part 2 on “The Family in the Ancient World,” in MON, NOV 23:The Weilerstein Trio, NEC’s wheelockfamilytheatre.org/ THU, NOV 5: which lecturer Danie Plekhov uses ancient ensemble-in-residence (piano, violin, and 11:00am: Music with Berklee MON, NOV 2: “First Monday at Jordan Hall,” art to explore how families were structured cello), offer their annual concert with (every week) New England Conservatory’s much-loved in the ancient Mediterranean world. Noon- music by Cowell and Schumann. Soprano • 12:30: Book Club (Elegance of the chamber music series, continues with a 1pm; meet in the Scharff Visitor Center; free Erica Petrocelli joins the family trio for Hedgehog) special program featuring outstanding with museum admission. www.mfa.org/ Shostakovich’s Suite of Romances. 7:30pm, • 1:00pm: Lunch with Councilor Zakim students and faculty members. The night’s programs/gallery-activities-and-tours/the- Jordan Hall at New England Conservatory. TUE, NOV 10: Noon: Wise Aging with Penina family-in-the-ancient-world program includes a Schubert quartet for FREE WED, NOV 11 flute, guitar, viola and cello and the Quintet : 9:30am-12:30pm: Veterans’ Day WED, NOV 11: Prize-winning Irish novelist MON. NOV. 23 – JAN.8: Multi-Media Art for Winds by Carl Nielsen, which features benefit Breakfast! $5 donation suggested, all Colm Toibin speaks at one of the “Evenings Show. Local artists display their creations five BSO members who also teach at NEC. proceeds benefit homeless veterans) with Creative Minds” lectures at the at the Parker Hill Library on Mission Hill. Two current students—pianist George TUE, NOV 17: 10:00am: Reiki and Meditation MFA, discussing Irish literature today Sponsored by Mission Hill Artists. Artists Li and violinist Alexi Kelley—join the and his own experiences. 6:30–7:30 pm. reception on Thu., Dec. 17, 5:45-7:15pm. • 1:00pm: Middlemarch movie screening ensemble in Schumann’s Quartet for Piano Remis Auditorium, MFA. Members $32/ FREE. pt 3 and Strings. 7:30 pm, Jordan Hall at NEC. nonmembers $40. WED, NOV 18: Noon: Bingo FREE THURS., DEC 3: The second annual FensFund WED, NOV 11-SUN, NOV 22: BU’s theater Literary Contest awards ceremony will • 12:30pm: Short Story discussion with WED, NOV 4: Harvard’s “Science in the program presents the once-scandalous recognize writing-contest winners, Stephen Brophy News” series offers lectures on news- British drama A Taste of Honey. Written who’ll read from their work. At Fensgate 1:00pm: Middlemarch movie screening pt 4 related research geared to a lay audience. by Shalegh Delaney at the age of 18, the Community Room, 73 Hemenway St. (side THU, NOV 19: Tonight’s lecture at Harvard Medical School 12:30pm: Monthly Birthday play mixes unmarried motherhood, family entrance), 6:30pm. Refreshments will be and Poetry Potluck is From Stargazing to Space Travel: Our dysfunction, and issues of race and sexual served. FREE. TUE, NOV 24: brief history into space. 7-9pm, Armenise orientation. Wed-Thu 7:30pm; Fri-Sat 8pm; Noon: Thanksgiving Meal SAT, DEC 5: The Harvard-Radcliffe Chorus, Auditorium, 200 Longwood Avenue (enter Sun 2pm. Boston University Theater, 264 WED, NOV 25: 11:00am: Taxi Coupons a 110-voice “town and gown” group, off the med school quadrangle). More at Huntington Avenue, $10-15-18-20. More presents gems of the English Baroque— 12:30: PSC closes early sitn.hms.harvard.edu/next-seminar/. info and tickets at www.bu.edu/cfa/bcap/ Henry Purcell’s “Come Ye Sons of Art” WED, NOV 26: PSC Closed for the SITN also streams the lectures live at sitn. honey.html. Note that there is no seating (1694 birthday ode for Queen Mary) and Thanksgiving Holiday hms.harvard.edu/sitn-live/ FREE after the curtain rises. “Hail! Bright Cecilia.” Edward Elwyn Jones WED, NOV 4: “The Dutch Golden Age,” part 5 SAT, SEP 14: Saul Lilienstein presents a directs the chorus and period-instrument

board meets at 7pm. All are welcome. to be determined. Contact Rachel at substation, 401 Park Drive. Room 3C, in the Annex, Harvard [email protected] for details and THU, NOV 19: Rep. Michael Capuano’s liaison TUE, NOV 3: Fenway Liaison for the Office of Vanguard Building, 133 Brookline Avenue. to be added to the notification list. holds office hours 10-11am at JP Licks- Neighborhood Services holds office hours Call 617-262-0657 for questions. TUE, NOV 17: Brigham Circle, 1618 Tremont St. Call 3:30-5:30pm at the YMCA, 316 Huntington • Symphony Neighborhood Task Force • East Fens Police/Community meeting, 617-621-6208 if you have concerns but can’t Ave. meets, 6pm. Location to be announced. 6pm, Morville House, 100 Norway St. come. Contact Nicholas Carter at 617-635-4225 SAT, NOV 7: Prime Timers, an educational • Fenway CDC’s Urban Village Committee FRI, NOV 20: or [email protected] for details. Councilor Josh Zakim holds of- and social network for older gay/bisexual meeting. Help monitor development and fice hours 8-9:30am at Mike’s Donuts, 1524 THU, NOV 12: men, meets at Harriet Tubman House, 564 Rep. Michael Capuano’s liaison advocate for the neighborhood you want. Tremont St. Contact josh.zakim@boston. Columbus Ave. Refreshments 2:30, program holds office hours 12-1pm at Fenway Health, 6pm at the CDC office, 70 Burbank St. gov if you have a concern but can’t come. 3:30; $2 at the door. Visit www.bostonpri- 1340 Boylston. Call 617-621-6208 if you To verify date or for more info, contact Regular schedule resumes this month. have a concern but can’t come. metimers.org, email bostonprimetimers@ Grace Holley at 617-267-4637 x16 or email FOR BRA MEETINGS AND HEARINGS, CHECK uses.org or call 617-447-2344. MON, NOV 16: The LMA Forum, for [email protected] WWW.BOSTONREDEVELOPMENTAUTHORITY. TUE, NOV 10: community review of development projects, WED, NOV 18: West Fens Police/Community ORG/CALENDAR/CALENDAR.ASP • Audubon Circle Neighborhood Assn. meets when necessary at 6:30pm, location meeting, 5pm, Landmark Center police