Monster Mash: Soprano Hildegard Behrens dies; Shepard Fairey upset about article; Monty Python reunion

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-- Passing: Legendary soprano Hildegard Behrens died yesterday while traveling in Tokyo. The Wagnerian opera star was 72.

-- Investigation: Federal agents are cracking down on illegal practices in the trade of Native American artifacts.

-- Sounding off: Shepard Fairey is upset about what he sees as shoddy reporting in a community newspaper about his Echo Park offices.

-- Comedy time: Monty Python will stage a reunion in New York this fall to commemorate its 40th anniversary.

-- Jet-setter: Times art critic Christopher Knight notes that LACMA’s Michael Govan spent 10% of his time in New York.

-- Fancy footwork: Dance class enrollments are rising thanks to the popularity of TV shows like ‘So You Think You Can Dance.’

-- New museum: Russia’s cultural minister has revealed plans for a $94-million contemporary art museum in Moscow.

-- Garage sale: The National Geographic Society is looking for private and institutional collectors to buy photographs from its archives.

-- Some hope: Detroit cultural institutions managed to raise $3.75 million online despite technical glitches.

-- Curtain: Texas’ Metropolitan Classical Ballet has eliminated the bulk of its upcoming season, save for holiday performances.

-- Different approach: A new online venture seeks to raise extra revenue for museums and galleries in Britain.

-- Public art debate: PETA is challenging Kansas City, Mo.’s decision to ban a circus-protest sculpture that depicts a chained and weeping baby elephant.

-- David Ng

Photo: Hildegard Behrens and David Kuebler in a 2001 rehearsal of ‘Jenufa.’ Credit: Associated Press