An unsigned Wednesday (3/26) report in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reads, “The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra has postponed its proposed performance in Iran for this coming August, but still hopes to reschedule the project for sometime during the 2014-15 season, the PSO and American Middle East Institute announced today. ‘The logistical planning for international tours by a symphony orchestra usually begins two years in advance. With uncertainties surrounding several critical factors, such as charter aircraft and fundraising, we have decided to devote more time to the planning phase of the project,’ James Wilkinson, president of the PSO, said in a statement. ‘Any international tour by the PSO must be approved by the musicians and the Board of Trustees well in advance, and without more clarity on these critical issues we cannot present it for approval at this time.’ Simin Yazdgerdi Curtis, CEO of the American Middle East Institute, said in a statement: ‘We have made progress on many fronts and will continue to do so. This will enable us to ensure the funding and to work with the State Department to maximize the impact of this mission of people-to-people cultural diplomacy.’ … The Pittsburgh Symphony last performed in Iran in late August 1964.”
Posted March 27, 2014
