The Scene In and Around Boston . . .
By Hilda M. Morrill
September 21, 2007
 Announcing the largest corporate donation in the Museum of Fine Arts’ history are, left–right: Ronald E. Logue, Chairman and CEO, State Street Corporation; Malcolm Rogers, Director of the MFA; and William W. Hunt, President and CEO State Street Global Advisors. (Photo by Ron
Cowie)
State Street Corporation has made a gift of $10 million to the MFA. It is the largest corporate donation in the museum’s history and is part of the $500 million “Building the New MFA Campaign,” for which $415 million now has been raised.
In recognition of this generous gift, the MFA will name the museum’s Fenway entrance—which has been closed for more than two decades—the State Street Fenway Entrance. It will open to the public in Spring 2008 and is the first major construction milestone of the MFA’s Building Project.
This gift, which represents a continuation of State Street’s long-standing partnership with the museum, will enhance the MFA’s connection to its surrounding Fenway and Longwood neighborhoods.
The Museum of Fine Arts opened its granite Beaux-Arts building, designed by Boston architect Guy Lowell, on Huntington Avenue in 1909. The Museum was previously located at Copley Square, from 1876 to 1909.
In 1915, the Robert Dawson Evans Wing opened, reflecting Lowell’s original classical revival design. Its dramatic, columned entrance overlooks the Fens section of Olmsted’s majestic green space, the Emerald Necklace. This entrance has been closed since the early 1980s, when the Evans Wing was renovated and the entrance to the West Wing became the main entry point for visitors when it opened in 1981.
When it opens in Spring 2008, the north-facing State Street Fenway Entrance will welcome visitors through one of the museum’s original grand and historic entrances.
Kenneth Gloss to Give Free Talk on Rare Books
Kenneth Gloss, proprietor of the nationally known Brattle Book Shop in Boston’s Downtown Crossing, will give a free talk, “Treasures in Your Attic: Old and Rare Books,” on Thursday, September 27 at 8 p.m. at the Phoenix Mason’s Lodge, 131 Broadway in Hanover.
“New England homes are treasure-troves for old and rare books that have increased in value over the years,” says Gloss. “We invite the public to bring any volumes they want to know about to the lecture for a free verbal appraisal.”
Gloss will bring to the lecture several examples of interesting books, magazines and ephemera from the store's private collection, such as a 1912 World Series scorecard and examples of old LIFE Magazines. (He owns the complete set.) He also has a sales brochure from the Titanic.
Following the lecture and a question-and-answer session, he will give free verbal appraisals of books that attendees bring with them, something that he’ll also do at his 9 West Street location in Boston.
The Hanover Historical Society is the sponsoring organization. For further information, call the Brattle Book Shop at 1-800-447-9595 or visit
www.brattlebookshop.com.
Free “College Night” at Museum of Fine Arts
The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston hosts “College Night” on Thursday, September 27, from 7 p.m. to midnight. This annual event is free for college students, and will feature a live performance by Thurston Moore––lead singer for Sonic Youth––who is releasing his first solo album since 1995.
The event will also include a DJ dance party and MFA mobile wallpapers, pizza, raffle prizes, and plenty of art. Students will have full access to the museum’s encyclopedic collection, as well as a number of special exhibitions.
“College Night” marks the opening of “Walk This Way,” a unique exhibition that pairs an eclectic selection of shoes with museum masterpieces, leading visitors on a treasure hunt throughout the galleries. Visitors won’t want to miss their chance to see cleats worn by Red Sox star Daisuke Matsuzaka, Marilyn Monroe’s high heels, and Celtic player Kevin Garnett’s basketball sneakers.
Last year’s event attracted 3,200 students from more than 40 schools throughout New England. For more information, call 617-267-9300 or visit
www.mfa.org.
BSO Will Launch 127th Season
“Opening Night at Symphony” is scheduled for Thursday, October 4, when James Levine and the Boston Symphony Orchestra open the 2007-08 concert season with an all-Ravel program featuring mezzo-soprano Susan Graham and pianist Jean-Yves Thibaudet.
As the orchestra launches its 127th season, the gala evening at Boston’s historic Symphony Hall will be followed by a benefactor dinner at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel. Lisbeth Tarlow and Stephen Kay are the Benefactor Chairs.
The 2007-08 season marks the Maestro’s fourth season as Music Director of the BSO. Named Music Director Designate in October 2001, he is the orchestra’s 14th music director since the BSO’s founding in 1881, and the first American-born conductor to hold that position.
Maestro Levine also remains Music Director of the Metropolitan Opera, where he has developed a relationship with that company unparalleled in its history and unique in the musical world since his debut there 35 years ago.
All ticket prices for “Opening Night at Symphony” include a pre-concert reception. If available, the benefactor dinner requires special tickets. For more information, call the BSO’s SymphonyCharge at 617-266-1200 or 888-266-1200.
Enjoy!
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Mitch Bobkin
Greater Boston Interior Designer Featured on
NECN's Dream House.
www.mfb-designs.com
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