In Thursday’s (7/14) The Age (Australia), Robin Usher reports, “Rumours are circulating that Orchestra Victoria, which supports performances by opera and ballet companies in the Arts Centre, risks being cut in half because of continuing operating losses. There is already an agreement that any vacancies this year will only be covered by casual players, meaning it is expected to shrink by about 10 musicians from its operating size of 69. That was only intended to be a one-off arrangement for this year. But there are concerns about proposals to reduce operations to only 30 weeks a year of contracted work. This would abandon the current program of regional touring and education programs by the orchestra away from the State Theatre. … The orchestra’s general manager, Rob Robertson, says he is aware of speculation but no decision has yet been reached about moves to secure ‘a genuinely sustainable future’. Negotiations are under way with the state government. He says the annual report will not be ‘a pretty picture’. Discussions are planned next week with representatives of the Symphony Orchestra Musicians Association and a board meeting will be held at the end of the month.”
Posted July 15, 2011
