PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- The Philadelphia Orchestra Association has canceled all Orchestra performances and events through Nov. 12, as the strike by the Orchestra musicians now enters its eighth week. The Association remains hopeful that the musicians will accept the contract offer crafted during the last several weeks under the guidance of Mayor Rendell's administration. Upon ratification of this contract proposal by the musicians and the Board, concerts will resume.
This cancellation affects one of the highlights of the Orchestra's 1996-97 season -- its first Festival, entitled "African-American Traditions." The centerpiece of the Festival was to have been the Philadelphia Orchestra premiere of "African Portraits," Hannibal's epic work for soloists, instrumentalists, orchestra and choir, conducted by Assistant Conductor Andre Raphel Smith. Among the guest artists were the composer himself as jazz trumpeter, gospel singer Jevetta Steele, blues singer David "Honeyboy" Edwards, soprano Daniel Lane from the Boys Choir of Harlem, drum ensemble Jaasu Ballet and the Morgan State University Choir. Because of the importance of this work and the community-wide nature of the Festival format, it is the Orchestra Association's intention to reschedule these performances and the Festival for the 1997-98 season. The canceled events are as follows:
The Orchestra's presentation of the complete "African Portraits," led by Mr. Smith. The concerts were to have opened with Bernstein's "Chichester Psalms," performed by the Orchestra, Daniel Lane and the Morgan State University Choir.
Several events related to these subscription concerts have also been canceled:
Numerous other events had been planned for the "African-American Traditions" Festival, but had to be downscaled or canceled prior to this week due to the strike. These included collaborations with such organizations as the Painted Bride Art Center, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Afro-American Cultural and Historical Museum, the Clef Club, The Spoken Hand Society drumming ensemble, and Ilu Aiye (a group of African-American dancers, drummers, stilt walkers and musicians).
This program had garnered considerable media attention. A television crew from "CBS Sunday Morning" was going to come to Philadelphia to tape portions of "African Portraits" and Festival events for an upcoming story on Hannibal. A television crew from "CBS News-48 Hours" was going to tape portions of rehearsals with Daniel Lane for an upcoming story on the Boys Choir of Harlem.
-- Chamber Music Concert -- Sunday, Nov. 10, 3 p.m.:
The second program of the Orchestra's Chamber Music Series, held in the Academy of Music Ballroom, with a program of Scott Joplin's Four Ragtimes and George Walker's Music for Brass (part of the Festival) and Dvorak's Piano Trio in F minor (part of the Orchestra's season focus on the music of Brahms and his associates). Canceled performances will not be rescheduled this season. The options available to ticket holders are the same as when the strike began on Sept. 16:
Those holding passes to the Student Dress Rehearsal should call the Education Department at 215-893-1978 for more information.
All subscribers and single ticket buyers have been sent a letter outlining these options, along with a Ticket Request Form. Subscribers should hold onto tickets for any canceled concert until the strike is over. Single ticket buyers who choose any of the above options other than a refund should hold onto their tickets until the strike has ended.
For more information, ticket holders may call a special telephone hotline set up by the Patron Services Department at 215-893-1880.
SOURCE Philadelphia Orchestra Association
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