In Tuesday’s (9/29) Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Mark Kanny writes that the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra reports “a big increase in attendance and revenue in summer 2015, when concerts at Heinz Hall averaged 72-percent attendance,” versus 55 percent in summer 2014. “ ‘The staff did an incredible job of maximizing [Heinz] Hall as well as trying a lot of different things, some bottom-line directed, some mission directed,’ says CEO Melia Peters Tourangeau. ‘We wanted to create a relaxed feeling, and encouraged people to take photos on their iPhones during the concert and selfies with musicians,’ … says Declan McGovern, vice president of orchestra operations and general manager and chair of the summer planning team. Concertgoers were able to take drinks into the hall during the concerts…. The symphony will continue the practice during the 2015-16 Pops season…. Diana Krall was the top [Thursday Night Icons] attraction and sold 99 percent of the hall, followed by Smokey Robinson at 91 percent…. Fuse@PSO, Steve Hackman’s mashup of Brahms and Radiohead, drew 82 percent…. Events had musicians greeting patrons in the lobby before the concert and meeting with them again in the garden afterward.… Net revenue for ‘Summer at Heinz Hall’ increased from $108,298 in 2014 to $228,000 this summer.”
Posted October 1, 2015
