ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT REPORTS FROM THE TIMES, NEWS SERVICES AND THE NATION’S PRESS.

THE ARTS

Israeli Committee Calls for Barenboim Boycott

A committee of the Israeli parliament called on the country’s cultural institutions to boycott world-renowned conductor Daniel Barenboim for performing music by Hitler’s favorite composer at Israel’s premier cultural event. Barenboim, a Jew who was born in Argentina but grew up in Israel, conducted a piece by Richard Wagner with the Berlin Staatskapelle at the Israel Festival on July 7.

After a public outcry, Barenboim had agreed to eliminate the first act of Wagner’s opera “Die Walkre,” which had been on the original program. But at the end of the concert he played the prelude to Wagner’s opera “Tristan and Isolde.” Most of the audience applauded but some protested.

The parliamentary committee called for a boycott until the conductor, who is also music director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, apologizes.

Executive Director Exits Glendale’s Alex Theatre

Ellen Ketchum, executive director of Glendale’s Alex Theatre, has stepped down only a year after taking over from Martin Kagan, who had been with the theater for five years.

David Nelson, vice chairman of the board, said it would be inappropriate to comment on the reasons for Ketchum’s departure. Ketchum, said to be on vacation in Europe, was not available for comment. The theater will discuss an interim replacement in a closed session next week.

Controversial ABT Official Resigns

Louis Spisto, executive director of American Ballet Theatre since September 1999, resigned Wednesday. Spisto had reportedly caused unrest in the company; three-quarters of the administrative staff had departed amid complaints about his management style. In addition, the company canceled plans to create a new production of the ballet “Sleeping Beauty” for next year. In a brief announcement Wednesday, American Ballet Theatre president Ed Fox said the resignation was the result of Spisto’s “growing difference in vision from certain members of the board of directors.”

Spisto was executive director at Orange County’s Pacific Symphony from 1987 to 1998. Reached at his New York City home, Spisto said only, “I’m pleased with the two years [at ABT], and I leave loving the company.”

POP/ROCK

Musical Opposition to Bush’s Energy Plan

A host of well-known artists--including Alanis Morissette, Jackson Browne, the Dave Matthews Band, Moby, James Taylor and Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers--have joined Mike D. of the Beastie Boys to oppose President Bush’s energy plan. Dubbed the New Power Project, the group uses Web sites, fan e-mail lists and concert tours to encourage supporters to lobby the White House and Congress. Allied with the advocacy group Save Our Environment Coalition, the artists target what they see as the plan’s disregard for environmental protection and its failure to support conservation and renewable energy programs. Morissette will play a show for the campaign on July 31 in Anchorage, near the endangered Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.

QUICK TAKES

Neeme Jarvi, 64, music director of the Detroit Symphony, is recuperating in Finland from surgery to repair a ruptured blood vessel. Jarvis was hospitalized earlier this month. He had reportedly suffered a stroke.