Posted on 07/29/2002 5:55:21 AM PDT by Israel Insider
The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra cancelled a tour of American cities scheduled for the end of August after no insurance company was found to insure the concerts. American companies said they couldn't take the risk due to security concerns.
The Israel Philharmonic (IPO), the flagship of Israeli classical music, was due to perform with Jewish American singer-pianist Michael Feinstein, Yediot Aharonot reported. A national tour was planned, including performances in Cleveland, Chicago, Detroit, Los Angeles and San Francisco, to celebrate the recent release of the CD "Michael Feinstein With The Israel Philharmonic Orchestra," (Concord Records) which was recorded in Tel Aviv. The American tour was planned a year ago.
"Last Friday, the American organizer in charge of the tour called me and said that to his sorrow, he wasn't able to find a company in insure the concerts and the audience," IPO general manager Avi Shoshani told Yediot Aharonot. "Therefore, he was forced to cancel the entire tour."
Shoshani explained that the insurance organizers were seeking was for the concerts and concert halls, and not for the musicians, who are insured by the orchestra.
Shoshani said his American contact received the same answer from each company he approached. "We can't take the risk due to the high fear of terror attacks." Shoshani said that apparently in the United States, the IPO "has become a security risk."
Yediot Aharonot reported that orchestra members, including musical director Zubin Mehta, were stunned by the sudden cancellation. Mehta, who flew to the United States to be at his ill father's bedside, said he had never before experienced a similar incident during all his years with the Philharmonic.
Shoshani said that has asked American lawyers who represent the orchestra to check into the legal ramifications of the tour's cancellation. "The truth is that we don't have any real way to fight this. We are all aware of the circumstances in the United States lately, and the fact that the Americans have become very sensitive about security matters."
In January, the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra performed in New York's Carnegie Hall. There were no problems insuring the concert hall at the time, Yediot Aharonot said.
"The Human Valium"
What a shame that they’re unable to perform in New York.
I really like their Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Festival Overture.
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