“As COVID-19 spreads across the globe, the Cleveland Orchestra’s planned concerts this month and next in France, Austria, and the United Arab Emirates appear increasingly imperiled,” writes Zachary Lewis in Wednesday’s (3/4) Plain Dealer (Cleveland). “As of Wednesday, no leg of the orchestra’s upcoming journey to Paris, Vienna, Linz, and Abu Dhabi had been canceled. Each of those areas, however, has been affected by the virus to some extent…. The UAE reported six new cases of the virus, bringing the total confirmed there to 27…. Media outlets in the region have reported … the cancellation of the Ultra Music Festival and … the UAE Ministry of Education also announced that all schools and universities there will close for four weeks beginning March 8. The orchestra is actively monitoring the situation and deciding how to proceed. A spokesman for the group declined to comment but said the orchestra prioritizes the health of its 100-plus musicians and staff and is taking cues from the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The orchestra’s first scheduled concert on tour is Thursday, March 19 in Linz, Austria.”
The League of American Orchestras is tracking news and posting information about COVID-19 preparedness, as a service to the orchestra field. Find resources, guidance, and updates on the League’s site.
