In Friday’s (8/3) Philadelphia Inquirer, Peter Dobrin writes, “Peter Nero will lead the Philly Pops next season in Verizon Hall and then, at the end of 2012-13, pass the baton to a successor after 3½ decades of Gershwin, film music, Broadway, and a smattering of core classics. He also, at that point, turns over his rights to the name of the ensemble—though he will continue to conduct its Independence Day concert for as long and he and the city desire. But if Encore Series Inc. (ESI), the Pops’ presenter, misses any of the stipulated severance payments to Nero, the pianist and conductor automatically gains back rights to the name Philly Pops and can retake control of the enterprise. The deal, outlined by lawyers Thursday during a courtroom recital and in court documents, was approved by U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Eric L. Frank. … The judge’s nod put to rest, at least for now, a flare-up between Nero and ESI set off by the bankruptcy of the Philadelphia Orchestra Association, which was, at the time of its Chapter 11 filing, still operating the Pops.”
Posted August 7, 2012
