In Sunday’s (8/14) St. Petersburg Times (Florida), John Fleming writes, “The Florida Orchestra takes a break from performing during the summer, but that doesn’t mean nothing is happening. Here are some notes on recent developments on the orchestral front. The orchestra’s 2010-11 fiscal year closed at the end of June, and the $8.1 million budget had a small surplus, about $40,000, according to unaudited figures. This is a big improvement over the previous season, when the orchestra posted a $584,000 deficit. … Single tickets go on sale Monday for the coming season, which opens Oct. 14-16 with Carmina Burana. In an effort to broaden its appeal, the orchestra has introduced a new, lower price scale of $15 to $45 per ticket, compared with last season’s $20 to $67. The policy seems to be having the desired effect, with sales of subscriptions, which also reflect the lower prices, up 9 percent over this time a year ago, according to [orchestra President Michael] Pastreich. … The wind quintet of principals that will inaugurate the orchestra’s cultural exchange with Cuba has determined what its program will be for the concert in Havana during its trip Sept. 29-Oct. 2. They’ll play a rich swath of chamber music that includes Ibert’s Troise Pieces Breves, Barber’s Summer Music, Villa-Lobos’ Bachianas Brasileiras No. 6, Gershwin’s Three Preludes, Francaix’s Quatour a vents and Hindemith’s Kleine Kammermusik.”
Posted August 16, 2011
