FINALLY

Stringing along: The cash-strapped Pittsburgh Symphony, currently in negotiations for a new contract, is pressing to trim musicians’ pay as well as cut back on benefits.

Anyone can direct: Stephen Sondheim has been named guest director of the 30th Telluride Film Festival.

Swan song: Luciano Pavarotti plans a global goodbye tour, starting in 2004 at the Met, before hanging up his hankie, as already promised, after his 70th birthday in October 2005.