CSO shows surplus, but other groups faltering
Professional classical music organizations seem to be in a perennial fight for financial security, if not survival. The 2008 economic slowdown has not helped, and we're not just talking about the United States. Several European orchestras and opera companies are feeling the financial pinch, as well.
As we noted last fall, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra ended several years of deficits by showing a modest of $113,000 surplus for fiscal year 2007, and it will be interesting how the just-completed 2007-08 Symphony Center season is officially reported at the annual meeting in three months.
Recent announcements in several U.S. cities smaller than Chicago are more reflective of the state of the American economy. The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra announced a serious drop-off of single-concert ticket sales in April and May, along with a slump in subscription sales and renewals for the 2008-09 season. For example, incoming music director Manfred Honeck's three subscription concerts May 9-11 fell $22,000 short of projections.
In the Pittsburgh Symphony's annual survey of disaffected subscribers, those citing the economy as their reason for not renewing grew to 31 percent over the previous year's 10 percent. The main classical series at Heinz Hall did manage a slight increase to 75 percent of capacity over the previous year's 74 percent, although sales for its spring pops concerts fell by about 2,000 tickets.
The Minnesota Orchestra, a longtime cultural jewel of the Twin Cities, last week announced it was canceling its Sept. 14 summer-ending concert at the Lake Harriet Band Shell, citing a lack of funds to pay the musicians. The orchestra has performed in the local outside venue since 2003.
But the most alarming news came out of the Ohio state capital, where the Columbus Symphony announced cancellation of the fall portion of its 2008-09 downtown season following its continuing stalemate over a new players' contract. In June, the orchestra canceled its summer pops season after terminating its existing contract. The latest cancellation involves subscription concerts from October through early December, at least 10 performances. Contract talks (involving a mediator) have not been productive, and no further discussions are planned.
Also undergoing financial duress is the Oregon Symphony in Portland, which has accumulated operating losses of $5.1 million since 2002. Drastic cost-cutting measures slowed the bleeding this season to $671,000 from recent seven-figure deficits. The administrative staff has been trimmed to 35 from 55 two years ago, and the 2007-08 season was reduced by six subscription programs. Paid attendance managed to grow to 63 percent of capacity from 54 percent, although that was in part the result of patrons switching over from canceled concerts.
But there is good news from the Houston Symphony, which just announced it expects to post its fourth straight surplus when books for the 2007-08 season are audited. Ticket revenue increased an impressive nine percent, and the orchestra hopes to contribute between $1.5 million and $5 million to its endowment fund over the next three years.
Levine recuperating from surgery: James Levine, music director of the Ravinia Festival from 1973-93, is recovering at home following hospitalization July 15 for surgery to remove a cancerous kidney. Levine, 65, music director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra since the 2004-05 season, was forced to drop out of his remaining 2008 concerts at the Tanglewood Festival, the BSO's summer home in Lenox, Mass.