Isaac Thompson. Photo courtesy of Minnesota Orchestra.
In the November 21 Twin Cities Business, Erik Tormoen writes, “Isaac Thompson was a serious violinist. He played in the Minnesota Youth Symphony and earned a master’s in violin performance from the University of Texas at Austin. But … he moved into management, and he’s been exceptional at it. Thompson started as president and CEO of the Minnesota Orchestra last month. His administrative career has [included] … director of artistic administration for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra; managing director of the New York Philharmonic; and, most recently, president and CEO of the Oregon Symphony. Minnesota’s orchestra is in the same league, Thompson says. ‘This is one of the top orchestras in America—period, hands down.’ But by the numbers, it has not fully returned from pandemic-era deficits. Traffic last season trended 9% lower than pre-Covid levels. Even so, last season also notched record highs for the orchestra, across earned revenue and donations…. Earned revenue, at $11.6 million, rose year-over-year by 22%…. The organization nonetheless incurred an operating loss of $3.8 million… Thompson sounds up to the task: ‘The opportunity to come back to a vibrant community, which has a tradition of great cultural institutions, to lead one of the anchor arts organizations, was a thrilling opportunity.’ ”
