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German media giant Bertelsmann’s shakeup of its flagging music division looks set to continue with U.S.-based subsidiary Bertelsmann Music Group (BMG) reportedly looking to lay off hundreds of employees in its efforts to cut costs and raise profits. Rumors followed the appointment last week of former BMG Germany chief Thomas Stein to head BMG’s European division. Stein replaces Richard Griffiths, who is leaving the company by mutual agreement after six months in the job. “We have a new European management team and everything is being reviewed,” said a BMG Europe spokeswoman in Munich, who confirmed that BMG’s top management would… Read more »

First there was the computer virus. Now scientists have found a fungus that eats compact discs. Victor Cardenes, of Spain’s leading scientific research body, stumbled across the microscopic creature two years ago, while visiting Belize. Friends complained that in the hot and sticky Central American climate, a CD had stopped working and had developed an odd discoloration that left parts of it virtually transparent. Dr. Cardenes and colleagues at the Superior Council for Scientific Research in Madrid discovered a fungus was steadily eating through the supposedly indestructible disc. The fungus had burrowed into the CD from the outer edge, then… Read more »

By all accounts, Madonna’s first world tour in eight years kicked off with a roaring success in Barcelona, Spain, on Sunday (June 10). The Material Girl continued the theme of her Scottish Highlands wedding by donning a Jean Paul Gaultier-designed kilt and sleeveless black top for the opening bars of the Drowned World Tour 2001 at the Palau Sant Jordi stadium, according to various media accounts. The 18,000-plus sold-out crowd of Spanish revelers was reportedly so loud throughout the 20-song, two-hour set that the noise drowned out the music itself, clocking in at over 120 decibels at one point, according… Read more »

The setting is modern-day Philadelphia and Los Angeles instead of 19th century Spain. The music is hip-hop, not opera. And because it’s on MTV, the star is the video music channel’s diva du jour, Beyonce Knowles of the R&B trio Destiny’s Child. “Carmen,” airing Tuesday night, has a soundtrack from its co-stars, including Knowles, Da Brat, Wyclef Jean and Mos Def. The retelling of the classic opera features Knowles as Carmen Brown and Mekhi Phifer as police officer Derrick Hill, who falls for her and helps her escape from jail. “She’s very sexy and… just her whole attitude – she’s… Read more »

Eyeing the music television biz, German media giant Bertelsmann may end up the majority shareholder in fast expanding German music channel Viva if a series of deals come off. Bertelsmann will acquire an 18.9% stake held by U.K. music giant EMI if a proposed merger between Bertelsmann’s music division BMG and EMI goes ahead. Company is considering the acquisition of an additional 12.1% stake held by German music group Edel Music. Listed on Germany’s Neuer Markt exchange, Viva is expanding across Europe and has set up outposts in Poland and Hungary, with Switzerland and Italy to follow this year. Company… Read more »

Pop icon’s Drowned World Tour, kicking off June 5, is her first outing in eight years. Madonna announced on Monday (April 16) the 18 dates of an international outing that will launch June 5 in Cologne, Germany, and end September 9 in Los Angeles. Dubbed the Drowned World Tour, the trek will be the most extravagant stage spectacle of the singer’s illustrious career, according to Madonna’s spokesperson. Madonna will be promoting last year’s neo-cowgirl endeavor Music, which includes the title track and the current single, “What It Feels Like for a Girl” , though organizers promise plenty of past hits,… Read more »