“The Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra announced Wednesday that it will bring back a five-concert season of lively outdoor concerts this year featuring its professional orchestra and guest solo headliners,” writes Gayle Worland in Wednesday’s (4/21) Wisconsin State Journal. “However, this year’s Concerts on the Square—which typically draw crowds of up to 50,000 or more to Capitol Square—will be performed … from July 7 to Aug. 4 at Breese Stevens Field.… Only about 1,500 audience members will be admitted to the stadium for socially distanced seating, and will pay $5 or more each to reserve a spot. Traditionally, Concerts on the Square are free, but this year admission fees will support wages for the orchestra’s 34 musicians, who like other performing artists across the world have been hard-hit economically by the COVID-19 pandemic…. The admission fee ‘is a way to make sure we support our musicians,’ … said Joe Loehnis, CEO of the WCO. The concerts also will be livestreamed for free.… The Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra, led by Maestro Andrew Sewell, also presents the Masterworks Series of concerts (online this year) and annual sell-out performances of ‘The Messiah.’ ”
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