Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Cancels Performances, Expands Virtual Stage

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Conductor Joseph Young leads the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra in a performance at the state Capitol in Atlanta Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2015. / AP

Orchestral musicians around the world are all off stage for the foreseeable future. They can’t safely sit together, let alone play to full houses. Wind players can’t even wear masks.

So, the Atlanta Symphony Orchesta announced Wednesday the end of remaining performances in its 75th classical subscription season, a multi-million dollar loss in revenue and its virtual stage expansion.

The orchestra had previously canceled several performances through May 11 due to the spread of COVID-19 in Georgia, including a planned trip to Carnegie Hall for Beethoven-related celebrations. The conducting debut of violinist-conductor Nikolaj Szeps-Znaider and the first full performance of Wagner’s epochal opera Tristan und Isolde in Atlanta are among the newly announced cancellations.

MORE: Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Director Gives First Look At 2019/2020 Season

"While providing inspiring and uplifting musical experiences to our community is our mission and our passion, we realize that we must do so while providing for the safety of our patrons, musicians and employees," the orchestra's Executive Director Jennifer Barlament said in a press release. 

The ASO also reported a $3 million loss in ticket revenue between March 13 and June 27. Approximately 50% of the orchestra's operational budget came from the Delta Classical Series, Family Series, Atlanta Symphony Hall LIVE and the Coca-Cola Holiday Series.

To relieve the financial loss, the orchesta implemented a temporary 15% reduction in their musicians’ compensation through June 27, supported in part by a gift from an anonymous donor. They also announced reductions in administrative staff compensation, ranging from 5% to 15%, and will furlough 11 full-time and 13 part-time staff members. 

"These are truly unprecedented circumstances and the members of the ASO Board, as well as the Woodruff Arts Center Governing Board, are very grateful for the hard work and collaborative approach, and we look forward to the day when our Atlanta Symphony Orchestra musicians once again take the stage," Board Chair Janine Brown said. 

The orchestra will also be expanding its virtual stage by including thank-you messages to Emory and Grady Hospital caregivers, content designed for patients and caregivers in hospitals and at home, online education programs for Atlanta Symphony Youth Orchestra and Talent Development Program students and videos by the musical community recorded from home.

"The circumstances have fueled a tremendous amount of creativity from members of the ASO Family," Atlanta Symphony Orchestra's vice president and general manager Sameed Afghani said. "We are thrilled to continue to share our music with people across Atlanta and around the world through this new portal.”

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra is currently taking donations for their new Stability Fund and will match donations until the end of June.