Travel cases for the Oregon Symphony’s double bass section sit backstage on tour in 2006.
Photo © Charles Noble
An article in Sunday’s Times of London talks about the lack of US orchestras at the annual Proms event in Royal Albert Hall.
Touring an American orchestra in Europe was always dauntingly expensive. (According to an old joke, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra always required two juggernaut lorries — one for their instruments and one to carry their supply of bottled water in dangerous Third World countries such as France.) But the rising cost of air freight and the sudden scarcity of corporate sponsors (at least $3 million is needed to tour a US orchestra in Europe) have made matters worse. So have tighter security requirements, which mean that vital hours are forfeited in tight schedules while expensive musicians hang around airport check-ins.
This is not likely to affect the Oregon Symphony, as we’re not likely to play outside of Portland or Salem this coming season due to our precarious financial situation. Â Not that I’m complaining: I’m happy to stay home as long as the orchestra gets healthier.
One reply on “less touring for US orchestras”
Hrrrmmm… he’s just talking about the Proms, which is, for sure, an interesting change. But in London in general, American orchestras are still performing. Chicago is playing at Royal Festival Hall for two nights, as they did last year. New York Phil is at the Barbican. I would argue it’s more complicated than just the orchestras touring costs, venues are are scaling back their festivals and series as funding gets tighter – it’s a challenge the whole way around I’d say.