“The Ojai Music Festival has joined the list of coronavirus cancellations, festival board Chairman Jerry Eberhardt said Tuesday, marking the first time since its founding in 1947 that the annual celebration of experimental classical music will not be held,” writes Jessica Gelt in Tuesday’s (3/24) Los Angeles Times. “The news comes as coronavirus cases mount throughout the country.… ‘As we were monitoring the COVID-19 crisis over these last several weeks, we considered the unpredictability of travel as well as the safety and comfort of our artists and patrons,’ Eberhardt said in the announcement. ‘It has also become clear that the institution cannot shoulder the projected financial burden due to the forecasted drop in festival revenue and increase in festival expenses.’ … This summer’s installment was to be guided by Music Director Matthias Pintscher in collaboration with Artistic Director Chad Smith, who also is chief executive of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Smith said in a statement that next year’s festival already is being planned by Ojai’s next artistic director, Are Guzelimian, along with 2021 Music Director John Adams. ‘I am eager to see you all in Ojai in June 2021,’ … Smith said.”
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