Opera Chic

YNS Set To Become Music Director of the Philadelphia Orchestra In 2012

 
Peter Dobrin has the scoop:

Yannick Nézet-Séguin, a 35-year-old Canadian whose starry orchestra and opera career is much in the ascent of late, is set to become Philadelphia’s eighth music director in 2012. At that time, chief conductor Charles Dutoit will take the title of conductor laureate. The music director appointment is expected to get the official stamp at Monday's board meeting of the orchestra.

After the jump, Opera Chic has an exclusive quote from Eugene Ormandy about YNS's appointment.

Crunch Time In Philly: Dutoit v Jurowski

Peter Dobrin, the Inquirer Classical Music Critic, endorses Vladimir Jurowski (born 1972) as Music Director of the Philadelphia Orchestra:

Today, we prefer speed-dating, with all its superficiality and risks. Some musicians said it wouldn't hurt if Jurowski smiled more or said "good morning." Really? Can that be a criterion in this search? It might be better to have a cheery back-slapper with poor rehearsal technique and limited insight than a stern-faced genius? Is this the level of dialogue today in the orchestra?

The alternative to bring that shimmering Philly Sound back to the splendor of its past?

A limited commitment by Charles Dutoit (born 1936), writes Dobrin. And here's -- again -- the usual dilemma of big companies: youth vs experience, risky choice v known quantity, upcoming v established, etc.

Chances of re-hiring the ghosts of Jenö or Stokie remain low.

The "Philly Sound" (Of Silence): Philadelphia Orchestra Cancels 2009 European Festivals Tour Due To Lack Of Sponsors & Weak Dollar

The ghost of Eugene Ormandy is very, very angry:

Unable to find sponsorship, the Philadelphia Orchestra has canceled its 2009 European festivals tour.

Such a cancellation is highly unusual, and this one is doubly painful. The concerts in Lucerne, Paris, at the London Proms and the Edinburgh Festival starting in August would have brought the orchestra incalculable artistic credibility with audiences and within the classical industry.

And this was to have been Charles Dutoit's first tour with the orchestra in his new role as chief conductor and artistic adviser.

Reasons for canceling the tour are numerous, said an orchestra spokeswoman, but they include lack of sponsorship and the weak dollar. The increased cost of flying was "icing on the cake," she said.

In a word:

:-(

(link via Arts Journal)