Monster Mash: Pasadena Symphony rift; Eli Broad narrows architect hunt; opera house’s grand reopening

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--Sour notes: The departure of conductor Jorge Mester has split musicians and management and increased tensions as the Pasadena Symphony Orchestra tries to dig itself out of debt. (Los Angeles Times)

--Top two: Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas and New York-based Diller, Scofidio & Renfro reportedly have emerged as finalists after six high-powered firms offered designs for Eli Broad’s downtown art museum. (Los Angeles Times)

--Crown jewel: After four years of restoration work, Buenos Aires’ historic Teatro Colon opera house reopens with a starring role in Argentina’s bicentennial celebration. (AFP)

--Women’s work: Actress Kristin Chenoweth, playwrights Annie Baker and Sarah Ruhl and composer Mary Rodgers are among the recipients of the first Lilly Awards, which recognize the achievements of women in theater. (Playbill)

--Legal battle: Internet entrepreneur Halsey Minor won a victory -- and $8.57 million in damages -- in his tangled court dispute with Christie’s International. (Wall Street Journal)

--Big bucks: Broadway attendance is down, but 2009-10 box office is up to the tune of $1.02 billion. (Variety)

--Bouncing back: Despite taking a few hits from the rocky economy, Lyric Opera of Chicago has finished in the black for 22 of the last 23 years, an unusual feat for a major nonprofit performing arts company. (Chicago Tribune)

--Ailing maestro: Exhaustion has forced conductor Claudio Abbado to cancel his long-awaited return to Milan’s La Scala. (New York Times)

--Tales of the city: The Museum of London unveils its modern galleries -- which cover the period from the Great Fire of 1666 to the present -- after a $29-million refurbishment. (The Art Newspaper)

--Help wanted: New York City is seeking a developer to build a new home for the National Jazz Museum on a derelict site across from the Apollo Theater. (Crain’s New York Business)

Also in the Los Angeles Times: Richard S. Ginell reviews the Los Angeles Master Chorale at Walt Disney Concert Hall; soprano Nadine Sierra wins the 38th annual Loren L. Zachary National Vocal Competition in Los Angeles.

-- Karen Wada