San Francisco Symphony Executive Director Matthew Spivey and Board President Priscilla Geeslin at Davies Symphony Hall. Photo by Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle.
In Tuesday’s (6/5) San Francisco Chronicle, Tony Bravo and Aidin Vaziri write, “The San Francisco Symphony has experienced a tumultuous period since Music Director Esa-Pekka Salonen announced his decision not to renew his five-year contract. ‘I do not share the same goals for the future of the institution as the Board of Governors does,’ Salonen offered as the impetus for stepping down from the role after the 2024-25 season in a statement released on March 14. Since then, it has come to light that the 113-year-old orchestra has struggled with budget deficits for more than a decade … Salonen has declined to speak publicly about the Symphony or his impending departure. But in a joint interview with the Chronicle, CEO Matt Spivey and Board President Priscilla Geeslin addressed the organization’s challenges and future plans.” Spivey and Geeslin discuss topics concerning the orchestra’s financial situation, budgeting, programming and presentations, fundraising, and the search for a new music director.
