Monster Mash: Stephen Schwartz tries opera; National Symphony tweets; new musical from ‘Rocky Horror’ creator

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--Trying something new: ‘Pippin,’ ‘Wicked’ composer Stephen Schwartz writes his first opera, to be performed in Santa Barbara.

--Digital music: National Symphony tweets Beethoven’s ‘Pastoral’ Symphony tonight at Wolf Trap.

--On to a full vote: City Council committee approves $30-million subsidy for Cirque du Soleil show at Hollywood & Highland. What do you think?

--Signs of hope: Why aren’t there more black musicians in America’s symphony orchestras?

--Premiering in Britain: New musical, ‘The Stripper,’ on tap from creator of ‘The Rocky Horror Show.’

--Fresh coat of paint: Mexican government gives Diego Rivera murals full restoration treatment.

--Treasure trove: Palm Springs Museum receives major contemporary art gift from collectors Donna and Cargill MacMillan.

--Back in view: Britain’s National Portrait Gallery purchases a 1812 Thomas Lawrence painting unseen by the public for 25 years.

--Museum on the Web: Louvre launches English-language version of its online collections database.

--Lawsuit weapon: Signed contract between Brandeis University and Rose Museum founder specifying use of art-sale proceeds is among documents in Rose Museum suit.

-- Lisa Fung