Posted on 04/18/2011 1:54:57 PM PDT by OldDeckHand
(CBS/AP) The world-renowned Philadelphia Orchestra, long considered one of the best in the nation, will be filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection - an apparent first in recent history for a major U.S. orchestra.
(Excerpt) Read more at cbsnews.com ...
I don’t think this is a first Ch.11 in recent US history, I believe Honolulu Symphony filed Ch.11 bankruptcy in 2009 and Orlando Symphony filed for Ch.11 bankruptcy in 1991.
Syracuse Symphony Orchestra filed Chapter 7 this month also.
To me,they haven’t been the same orchestra since Eugene Ormandy died.
Point being, which ever schlub staff writer at CBSNews/AP who got assigned to write this article knows absolutely nothing about the US orchestra/symphony scene. The arts/musical philanthropy media have been on top of this since the slowdown in donations and subscriptions in late 2007, I guess CBSNews/AP doesn’t pay attention to the industry media.
Dec 3, 2010 ... Louisville Orchestra Inc. filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code Friday.
they havent been the same orchestra since Eugene Ormandy died.
Agree, it was the greatest under Ormandy.
AP get it wrong again. Surprising. /s
Of course, being “ARTISTES”, that evil profitability word does not enter into their thinking!! Clearly, rich people should be taxed and the money given to them, considering the vitally important JOB they do!!! What could possibly more crucial to the nations’ survival than playing the piccolo??!!!
I organized a Sit Down Dinner for my Company in 1993 for 600 People prior to the 20th Anniversary Of Philadelphia Symphony in Beijing The Great Hall of The People.
The Most Borish bunch of People I ever met A-Holes Come to Mind! Like Most Philly Icons all History and No Concept of Reality!
If you have never scene one of these in person I would highly advise you to do so. It is truly an experience music lovers will never forget.
Fortunately the SSO is dead. In a community that has all but died, there was simply no support for a Symphony Orchestra and the taxpayers should not be coughing up money for luxuries like this.
(in a the voice of Sinatra) I like flute players....if they’re broads.
Hear, hear.
Cincinnati has a well-respected, and I think very old orchestra, does it not? I've been to their music hall, and it's really quite grand. In fact, with the Cincinnati Music Conservatory and The Pops, it's a city with a blue-chip music scene.
In the 1970’s I was a part-time bartender at the Academy of Music during the intermissions.
My boss instructed me carefully as to what degree of booze consumption to expect from the different audiences:
HIGH intermission drinking: Opera
Lots of intermissions for long operas and husbands trying to make it through the opera. Mixed ethnic audience.
MEDIUM intermission drinking: Ballet
Artistic appreciation seems to not be degraded too much by alcohol.
LOW intermission drinking: Symphony
For some reason the mostly Jewish audience prefers to stay sober and doesn't regard the occasion as an excuse for drinking!
Name dropping celebrity story:
Werner Klemperer (Colonel Klink) wandered out the the audience DURING a performance by the symphony in honor of his father, the great Berlin Symphony conductor Otto Klemperer.
This was normally my downtime waiting for the intermission and he asked for a drink and made chit-chat. At one point he let out with an "Oy Vey!" and for the first time it occurred to me that he was Jewish and the irony of having him play a Nazi officer (OK, I was a bit dense then, too).
I also sold Grace Kelly a candy bar while working the candy and "orange drink" concession at the Schubert Theater down the street. As she was coming up in the line my boss grabbed my arm and switched places with me so I could serve her "to have something to tell my kids."
Sgt. Schultz and General Burkhalter were also played by Jewish actors.
“Funny, they don’t look Jewish.”
Thanks for pointing that out!
In hard times the Arts are the first to feel it.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.