They just gave all their big donors and season subscribers a huge kick in the teeth, in person, since the Opening Gala is attended by many of the donors and season subscribers.
It will be interesting to see whether that arouses more donations or causes donors to walk. I would say “Sayonora, baby!”
I’m only an occasional concert goer, but if I were a donor I would tell them “F-off, there are many other calls for my money and time!”
CDs and a good stereo system provide an excellent experience without even having to burn fossil fuels to go to Symphony Hall.
I’m torn. I studied music for years and know what it takes to make beautiful songs come to life. I couldn’t, no matter how hard I tried. But I’m glad that the system worked. They were allowed to strike, they did, and paid the price. We’ll have to watch what happens now.
If they’re really that short of funding let them stop sending out so many mailers to potential attendees - we get at least three fifty-or-so page full-color, photo-packed catalogues of their full year concert schedule annually plus monthly four or six page pamphlets of what’s coming up in the next few weeks - and we’ve attended only three of their concerts in the last four years - save a few dollars and stop sending out so much advertising literature - please.....
"Hey Joe"- London Symphony Orchestra
"Hey Joe, where you going with that gun in your hand..."
I think it sad that world class classical musicians are only getting paid $128K while rappers are making millions.
But on the other hand being a free market capitalist if the Philadelphia Orchestra cannot draw more than 1000 fans to their opening night then perhaps they should fold up shop.
But in this there is a lesson on the decline of our culture that a depraved and simplistic art form that is rap is raking in millions while an uplifting and complex art form that is classical music is about to file for bankruptcy and fade in to oblivion.
Western culture is an endangered species.
Would be interesting to find out if the ones who cheered are going to pick up the financial slack made by the ones who booed?
Liberalism IS a MENTAL DISORDER!!
I missed out on a couple of gigs because I refused to join the Union.
Then there is the question: who is really paying the musicians' salaries? What are the revenue sources of the Philadelphia orchestra? The most recent financials I could find online are for 2014. Contributions and grants are roughly double performance income. The orchestra runs a substantial deficit on performances; the donor class keeps it alive.
Maybe management should suggest that orchestra members put in 20 hours a week as street musicians, to help directly with the panhandling. The truth is, the orchestra's fundraisers generate twice as much income as do the musicians. I wonder if the pay scales are commensurate.
So the show mustn’t necessarily go on ...
The Minnesota Orchestra had a similar strike a few years ago. They’re still begging for donations and ticket sales. And all this from people who get paid $120,000 a year to toot a flute.
