Abravanel Hall, home of the Utah Symphony.
In Monday’s (3/25) Musical America, Taylor Grant writes, “The Utah Symphony | Utah Opera (USUO) has received a $15 million pledge from the O.C. Tanner family. To be paid over ten years, the gift consists of two components: outright annual support of $500,000 over the next decade—for key leadership positions within the organization—and $10 million as part of a larger fundraising initiative to address critical undercapitalization. ‘The Symphony and Opera represent the crown jewel of our community’s cultural vitality,’ said Stephen Tanner Irish on behalf of the Tanner family. He made special mention of the friendship his grandfather, Obert C. Tanner, enjoyed with the Utah Symphony’s Music Director Maurice Abravanel, who retired in 1979 after 32 years with the ensemble…. The USUO is naming its position of president & CEO the O.C. Tanner Chair, currently occupied by Steven Brosvik. Along with Music Director Designate Markus Poschner, who begins in the 2027-28 season, Brosvik and Utah Opera Artistic Director Christopher McBeth comprise the Utah Symphony | Utah Opera’s leadership. Together they oversee an organization of 87 full-time symphony musicians and five opera Resident Artists that annually presents more than 175 symphonic and chamber music performances; week-long runs of four fully produced operas; and music education programs for audiences of more than 400,000.” (Editor’s note: Earlier in March, another American orchestra received a $15 million gift when an anonymous donor gave Florida’s Jacksonville Symphony $15 million. Read Symphony’s report at Jacksonville Symphony Receives $15 Million Gift from Anonymous Donor – Symphony.)
