In Friday’s (7/6) News Journal (Wilmington, Delaware), Margie Fishman writes, “While the Delaware Symphony Orchestra continues to weigh its financial future, DuPont Co. has kicked in money to revive the DSO’s chamber series at the Hotel du Pont and Music Director David Amado is proposing a scaled-down season that cuts the programming budget by more than half. Last month, the symphony announced the suspension of its 2012-2013 season because it had exhausted its operational funds. Executive Director Lee Williamson, who had started in March, also resigned last month, explaining that she wanted to give the symphony time to regroup. Among Amado’s suggestions: Cut big-budget productions such as Ravel’s ‘Daphnis and Chloe,’ which involves the full orchestra plus a dozen extra contracted musicians. Similarly, contemporary works are particularly expensive due to copyright issues. Instead, focus on 18th-century and mid-19th century compositions that involve fewer musicians and less rehearsal time, such as the originally planned Brahms’ Symphony No. 2. Amado also recommended bringing in regional guest soloists instead of pricier nationally renowned artists. … The DSO’s artistic committee, comprised of musicians, board members and community supporters, agreed Thursday to run financial projections on Amado’s programming recommendations and present them to the board’s finance committee. If approved, the recommendations will go to the full board for a vote.”
Posted July 6, 2012
