by Paul J. Pelkonen
The Philadelphia Orchestra, which began this decade mired in bankruptcy proceedings, has just gone on strike. The musicians of the orchestra sent a press release to Superconductor thirty minutes ago.
The strike put the kybosh on this year's opening night gala at the Kimmell Center. According to a report in the Philadelphia Inquirer, one thousand well-dressed concertgoer waited for an orchestra that simply refused to take the stage. After a delay, orchestra president Allison Vulgamore came out and told the disappointed crowd that tonight's concert was cancelled.
A year ago, orchestra music and signed a one year contract enabling them to play the 2015-16 schedule. However, that agreement is up and the musicians feel that the organization has not kept its side of their temporary bargain.
According to the press release from members of the orchestra, the 2015 agreement called for consultant Michael Kaiser to make recommendations to management concerning the future of the orchestra. Mr. Kaiser filed his report in April of this year, but, according to the musicians' statement his recommendations have been ignored.
This marks the second time in recent years that labor issues have marred a gala occasion for the orchestra, known to all as the fabulous Philaephians. Two years ago, plans to open the Carnegie Hall season were mixed when a strike by stagehands at that historic venue forced the cancellation of Carnegie's opening night concert.
The Philadelphia Orchestra is scheduled to play October 10 at CarmegienHall in a concert featuring Mahler's Sixth Sympjony conducted by Sir Simon Rattle. At this stage the future of that concert is in doubt.
