Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Neil Fisher

@neilfisher81.bsky.social

3.5K followers 200 following 270 posts

Exec culture and books editor of The Times

Posts Media Videos Starter Packs

Pinned

Neil Fisher @neilfisher81.bsky.social · 5d

"I don’t see someone calling me up and saying, ‘Hey, how about dinner?’"
The day I missed my chance with the one-and-only Diane Keaton.
www.thetimes.com/article/83d9...

Diane Keaton: ‘Life is magical, but I don’t see happy as part of the deal’

Well, la-dee-da, Annie Hall has made it to Hampstead at last. It’s been a long wait and in the time since Diane Keaton, as goofy, wonderful Annie, wooed Woody A

www.thetimes.com

3 10 42

Reposted by Neil Fisher

Mark Pullinger @larkingrumple.bsky.social · 4d

A very fine house debut from Marie Jacquot in this excellent Royal Opera Magic Flute revival
My @thetimes.com review is now online:
www.thetimes.com/culture/clas...

The Magic Flute review — misogyny, Freemasonry and some fine singing

Marie Jacquot makes a splendid Royal Opera House debut conducting a wonderful cast in this delightful Mozart revival

www.thetimes.com

6 4

Neil Fisher @neilfisher81.bsky.social · 3d

Her interest was obviously stimulated by directing the video for Belinda Carlisle’s metaphysical ballad “Heaven is a Place on Earth”, which the correspondent weirdly ignores.

The New York Times @nytimes.com · 3d

Diane Keaton's sole documentary, “Heaven,” explored popular ideas of the afterlife. “Why would there be such a place as hell, for any of us?” she told an interviewer in 2021, adding, “I just don’t believe that.”

Diane Keaton’s Only Documentary Was About the Afterlife

Keaton, who died on Saturday, was an actor, director and producer on multiple films and series. Her sole documentary, “Heaven,” explored popular ideas of the afterlife.

nyti.ms

Neil Fisher @neilfisher81.bsky.social · 4d

Many thanks! I’ve written some new reflections on Keaton now on the Times site

Neil Fisher @neilfisher81.bsky.social · 4d

Fun fact: she directed this music video

youtu.be/j2F4INQFjEI?...

Belinda Carlisle - Heaven Is A Place On Earth (Official HD Music Video)

YouTube video by Belinda Carlisle

youtu.be

Neil Fisher @neilfisher81.bsky.social · 5d

"I don’t see someone calling me up and saying, ‘Hey, how about dinner?’"
The day I missed my chance with the one-and-only Diane Keaton.
www.thetimes.com/article/83d9...

Diane Keaton: ‘Life is magical, but I don’t see happy as part of the deal’

Well, la-dee-da, Annie Hall has made it to Hampstead at last. It’s been a long wait and in the time since Diane Keaton, as goofy, wonderful Annie, wooed Woody A

www.thetimes.com

3 10 42

Reposted by Neil Fisher

Jonathan Healey @jonathanhealey.bsky.social · 6d

It was two OUP books.

19 110 700

Neil Fisher @neilfisher81.bsky.social · 6d

There have been some decent ones, there was also the one about why do English cafes let people bring children with them. 🤷🏻‍♂️

Reposted by Neil Fisher

Nick Cohen @nickcohen.bsky.social · 13d

Piece from me on the inability to call Jew hate by its real name
www.spectator.co.uk/article/why-...

Why won't the Left call out anti-Semitism for what it is?

There is even a Jewish Green movement which offers a reasoned definition of anti-Semitism and fights attempts to overturn it.

www.spectator.co.uk

7 8 22

Reposted by Neil Fisher

The Times & Sunday Times @thetimes.com · 11d

"At an otherwise peaceful demonstration in Trafalgar Square I encountered abuse, swearing, ignorance and, underpinning it all, virulent, unthinking antisemitism" | ✍️ Matthew Syed

I asked a simple question at a pro-Palestine protest and it turned ugly

www.thetimes.com

5 7 10

Reposted by Neil Fisher

Gabriel Milland @gabrielmilland.bsky.social · 12d

A "pro-Palestine' march passes me in Bath. Perhaps they're good people, I think to myself. The hippyish Quakers I remember from, say, being a member of Bath CND in the 80s. They're not *necessarily* antisemites, I say. So I check out their X feed. And it's awful.

20 48 180

Neil Fisher @neilfisher81.bsky.social · 11d

Interesting that you regard flagrant antisemitism as a “sideshow”, Davjd

Neil Fisher @neilfisher81.bsky.social · 12d

Here’s what happened at the Trafalgar Square protest:

I asked a simple question at a pro-Palestine protest and it turned ugly

www.thetimes.com/article/650a...

I asked a simple question at a pro-Palestine protest and it turned ugly

At an otherwise peaceful demonstration in Trafalgar Square I encountered abuse, swearing, ignorance and, underpinning it all, virulent, unthinking antisemitism

www.thetimes.com

3 3

Neil Fisher @neilfisher81.bsky.social · Sep 12

Conductor Ilan Volkov: Why I had to condemn Israel at the BBC Proms

www.thetimes.com/article/1e48...

Conductor Ilan Volkov: Why I had to condemn Israel at the BBC Proms

After speaking out from the podium at the Royal Albert Hall, the Israeli maestro says he will no longer perform in his home country, in protest against the war in Gaza

www.thetimes.com

2 6

Reposted by Neil Fisher

Anne Midgette @classicalbeat.bsky.social · Sep 4

So the Metropolitan Opera can castigate Anna Netrebko and get on its high horse about Ukraine -- and then get in bed with the Saudis? And at this point it seems everyone is too punch-drunk even to be outraged.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/03/a...

The Met Opera Turns to Saudi Arabia to Help Solve Its Financial Woes

www.nytimes.com

4 15 52

Neil Fisher @neilfisher81.bsky.social · Sep 8

as I say in the interview

Neil Fisher @neilfisher81.bsky.social · Sep 8

Christoph von Dohnanyi, who has died at 95, was brought up by heroic parents who endured extraordinary torment at the hands of the Nazis - as he revealed to me in @thetimes.com
www.thetimes.com/article/f5cf...

2 17 36

Neil Fisher @neilfisher81.bsky.social · Aug 30

Alison Balsom: The Last Night of the Proms will be my farewell

www.thetimes.com/article/ed47...

Alison Balsom: The Last Night of the Proms will be my farewell

The acclaimed soloist is hanging up her trumpet after performing since the age of seven. She talks music in state schools, brass bands — and her marriage to Sam Mendes

www.thetimes.com

2 1 4

Neil Fisher @neilfisher81.bsky.social · Aug 27

Maybe? 'I have to have urgent surgery, but the doctors are really, like, chill about it"

Neil Fisher @neilfisher81.bsky.social · Aug 27

It seems faintly odd that Simon Rattle has just announced "routine surgery" to happen in...the next few days, thus meaning he has to cancel his scheduled Proms.

3 2 4

Neil Fisher @neilfisher81.bsky.social · Aug 11

While we’re at it, a year without Mahler anywhere

1 1

Reposted by Neil Fisher

Neil Fisher @neilfisher81.bsky.social · Aug 7

Step away from Bolero, banish Bruckner's 7th and stop murdering Tchaikovsky's First Piano Concerto... the pieces @thetimes.com music critics can't bear to hear again
www.thetimes.com/article/f043...

Boo to Boléro! The classical music favourites we never want to hear again

As Ravel’s earworm is performed at the Proms — for the 57th time — our critics train their ire on Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky, Bruckner and more. Do you have a musical allergy?

www.thetimes.com

3 3 5

Reposted by Neil Fisher

Gabby HC, but a ghost, hiding in a corner @scriblit.bsky.social · Aug 7

Patient, sobbing: But Doctor, I AM Pagliacci!
ChatGPT: Apologies. I didn't realise when recommending Pagliacci's epic show to cure your depression that you were the genius himself. I'm impressed! With regards to your initial question, I can recommend seeing the Great Clown Pagliacci.

18 2.9K 12K

Neil Fisher @neilfisher81.bsky.social · Aug 7

Step away from Bolero, banish Bruckner's 7th and stop murdering Tchaikovsky's First Piano Concerto... the pieces @thetimes.com music critics can't bear to hear again
www.thetimes.com/article/f043...

Boo to Boléro! The classical music favourites we never want to hear again

As Ravel’s earworm is performed at the Proms — for the 57th time — our critics train their ire on Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky, Bruckner and more. Do you have a musical allergy?

www.thetimes.com

3 3 5

Neil Fisher @neilfisher81.bsky.social · Aug 2

Mahler coming up tonight with the Hallé. Their new Singaporean conductor seems like A Good Thing.

www.thetimes.com/article/8514...

‘Don’t fight the wave, ride it’ — the surfer maestro revitalising the Hallé

As the Hallé’s chief conductor, Kahchun Wong, makes his Proms debut, the Singaporean explains how his military education — and favourite water sport — inspired him

www.thetimes.com

2 7

Reposted by Neil Fisher

Neil Fisher @neilfisher81.bsky.social · Jul 17

"You have a lot to be proud of in England. It doesn’t always have to be about having a bad conscience about various things you’ve done in the past."
Love to have my fondness for smut and warm beer indulged by a Norwegian virtuoso violinist.
www.thetimes.com/article/3e46...

Dirty jokes and English beer — the baroque stars of the all-night Prom

The Norwegian violinist Bjarte Eike and his Barokksolistene group sell out UK venues playing 17th-century music to young crowds. Now they’re revamping a classic Purcell opera

www.thetimes.com

2 8