Exterior of Walt Disney Concert Hall, where the Los Angeles Philharmonic performs. Photo courtesy Los Angeles Philharmonic Association
“The Los Angeles Philharmonic canceled the remainder of its 2019-20 season at Walt Disney Concert Hall on Wednesday, announcing layoffs and pay cuts as part of a money-saving response to its extended coronavirus-related closure,” writes Jessica Gelt in Wednesday’s (4/8) Los Angeles Times. “The L.A. Phil’s music and artistic director, Gustavo Dudamel, will take no compensation during the cancellation period, the orchestra said. Payroll reductions of 35% in the aggregate will include the layoffs of 94 part-time employees and pay cuts of more than 35% for the leadership team…. Orchestra members will receive 65% of their weekly minimum scale beginning April 20. All 101 full-time orchestra members and 174 full-time administrative staff will retain their health benefits…. The orchestra emphasized it had kept all wages in place since the initial closure of Disney Hall on March 12, but that it was moving now to ensure the long-term financial health of the organization. The fate of the summer season of the Hollywood Bowl, which the L.A. Phil manages, remains up in the air.… Teaching artists and part-time support staff will continue the work of Youth Orchestra Los Angeles, with instruction conducted remotely, Chief Executive Chad Smith said.”
