In Sunday’s (9/16) Sacramento Bee, Edward Ortiz writes, “Merger talks continue between the Sacramento Opera and the Sacramento Philharmonic, with a decision likely as early as November. The two arts nonprofits, both of whom have seen their share of financial difficulties recently, have been meeting bimonthly with a consultant to discuss the merits of a merger, said Jane Hill, interim executive director of the Sacramento Philharmonic. … The talks have included looking at similar mergers that happened in Dayton, Ohio, and in Utah as possible models. A key issue is whether a merger in Sacramento would mean creation of a new organization or whether one entity would be subsumed into the other, Hill said. ‘I would say the boards will make some sort of a final decision in November,’ Hill said. ‘Our thought is that we would want that to happen and be in that process so that in January of next year we could be openly planning a 2013-14 season as a dual entity.’ … At first glance, the merger seems a logical step for both organizations. They share the services of the same orchestral musicians, both have been led by Sacramento Philharmonic music director and conductor Michael Morgan, and both rent office space in the same midtown building.”
Posted September 17, 2012
