Houston opera conductor named new music director (AP)

HOUSTON – Houston Grand Opera conductor Patrick Summers has been named the organization's artistic and music director in a shuffle of top management after the departure of general director Anthony Freud.

The opera's board also named chief operating officer Perryn Leech as managing director. Freud resigned to lead the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Summers has conducted more than 45 operas in his 13 years with the Houston Grand Opera. He also is principal guest conductor of the San Francisco Opera and appears with the Metropolitan Opera in New York and other leading companies.

Leech joined the Houston Grand Opera as chief operating officer in 2010, after a 27-year career in production at theaters and opera companies that include the English National Opera and the Welsh National Opera.

Yahoo! News

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Whitney Houston back in drug rehab (Reuters)

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Singer Whitney Houston is undergoing treatment again for drug and alcohol addiction, her spokeswoman said on Monday.

The multiple Grammy Award-winning diva has enrolled in an out-patient program rather than a residential facility.

"Whitney Houston is currently in an out-patient rehab program for drug and alcohol treatment. Whitney voluntarily entered the program to support her long-standing recovery process," publicist Jill Fritzo said.

Houston, 47, one of the top-selling female artists of all time with hits like "I Will Always Love You", launched a comeback in late 2009 after battling drug addiction for years. But her performances on some legs of her 2010 concert tour proved troubling.

In the opening leg of her British tour a year ago, she appeared short of breath. In Paris she was hospitalized with a respiratory infection and postponed several dates. And in Australia she was panned by fans and critics.

In April 2010, she called media reports that she was using drugs again "ridiculous".

Celebrity website TMZ.com said on Monday that Houston enrolled in the rehab program about 10 days ago, and is allowed to go out in public as long as she has a monitor.

TMZ cited an unidentified source as saying Houston was cleansing her system to get ready for a new movie. Details were not available.

(Reporting by Jill Serjeant: Editing by Alex Dobuzinskis)

Yahoo! News

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Whitney Houston voluntarily enters rehab (AP)

NEW YORK – Whitney Houston is back in rehab. A representative for the superstar singer confirmed Monday that Houston is undergoing treatment. Kristen Foster says Houston is in an out-patient program for drug and alcohol treatment. She says it is a voluntary measure and part of Houston's "long-standing" recovery process.

The 47-year-old, one of the most successful singers in pop music history, has battled problems with drug addiction for years. But in 2009, as she released a comeback album, she declared herself healthy and clean.

However, her 2010 tour overseas was troubled: Houston canceled some dates due to illness and received negative reviews from fans who were disappointed in the quality of her voice and performance. Earlier this year, she gave an uneven performance in tribute to cousin Dionne Warwick at music mogul Clive Davis' annual pre-Grammy gala.

It's unclear how long Houston will be in rehab or where she's being treated; Foster had no further comment. However, Houston has been visible recently: Last week, she sang on stage with Chaka Khan during Prince's concert in Los Angeles.

Yahoo! News

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.