SOURCE The Philadelphia Orchestra Association
11/11/96 18:35 EST http://www.prnewswire.com

This Week's Cancellation, Extending through November 19, Affects Three Subscription Concerts with Christoph Eschenbach, a Lecture-Luncheon, Two Pre-school Events, and a Family ConcertNew Jersey Volunteer Committee's Fundraising Event at the Cherry Hill Macy's on Nov. 17 Will Take Place as Scheduled

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- With the musicians' strike now entering its ninth week, The Philadelphia Orchestra Association has canceled all Orchestra performances and events through Nov. 19. On Nov. 5 the musicians rejected the compromise three-year contract proposal that had been crafted under the guidance of Mayor Rendell's administration and approved by the Association Board. At its meeting this afternoon, the Association Board reaffirmed its support for that proposal, urging the musicians to reconsider and ratify the proposed contract so that concerts can resume. If the musicians do return to work later this week, the Association will reinstate any of this week's concerts as long as there is sufficient time to rehearse the program and notify ticket holders.

The following concerts and programs are affected by this cancellation:

• -- Dr. Richard B's Sound All Around Series A Wednesday, Nov. 13,10:00 a.m. and 11:15 a.m.: The second program of this series for pre-school children, in the Academy Ballroom featuring percussionist Anthony Orlando, storyteller Charlotte Blake Alston, and pianist Jungeun Kim.
• -- Three subscription concerts A:
• -- Friday, Nov. 15, 2 p.m.
• -- Saturday, Nov., 16, 8 p.m.
• -- Tuesday, Nov. 19, 8 p.m.
• A program led by guest conductor Christoph Eschenbach, featuring Berlioz' Overture to Benvenuto Cellini, Rouse's Symphony No. 2, and Dvorak's Symphony No. 9 ("From the New World").

The Friday afternoon concert would have been preceded by a Lecture-Luncheon in the Academy Ballroom at 11:30 a.m., hosted by the Rittenhouse Square Committee, with lecturer Evelyn Swensson and celebrity guest Luis Biava.

• -- Family Concert A Saturday, Nov. 16, 11:30 a.m.:
• A program led by Conductor in Residence Luis Biava, featuring high school students performing a Gabrieli canzon alongside Orchestra musicians; violinist Deborah Joyce Lim, a winner of the Children's Division of the Philadelphia Orchestra/Albert M. Greenfield Competition. The concert would have ended with a unique performance of Saint-Saens' Carnival of the Animals, with the Mum Puppet theatre and narrator Martin Bookspan.

The program would have also featured the use of closed-circuit video, as part of the second year of the Orchestra's Video Enhancement Project.

One event that will go on as scheduled is the annual gala evening of private holiday shopping at the Macy's in Cherry Hill on Sunday, Nov. 17, a fundraiser for the Orchestra presented by the New Jersey Volunteer Committee. Whenever possible, throughout the strike the Volunteer Committees have continued their regular schedule of activities, which are designed to support the Orchestra. Admission to the Macy's event, which begins at 6 p.m., is $12. For more information, call the Volunteer Office at 215-893-1956.

The canceled subscription and Family concert performances will not be rescheduled, but the Sound All Around programs may be rescheduled later in the season. The options available to ticket holders are the same as when the strike began on Sept. 16:

• -- return their tickets to the Orchestra Association as a donation;
• -- exchange their tickets for another concert this season;
• -- receive a ticket certificate good for the 1996-97 and 1997-98 seasons;
• -- request a refund for the amount of the ticket purchase.

Those holding tickets to the Sound All Around Series program should call the Education Department at 215-893-1978 for more information. Those holding tickets to the Lecture-Luncheon should call the Volunteer Office at 215-893-1956.

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.

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