Minnesota Orchestra pulls plug on last concert

The sour economy has claimed another victim: the end-of-the-season Minnesota Orchestra concert at the Lake Harriet Band Shell on Sunday September 14.

Quoting the news release:

“In the current difficult economic climate, we are very sorry to report that we will not be able to perform the Orchestra’s upcoming September performance at the Lake Harriet Band Shell,” says Minnesota Orchestra President and CEO Michael Henson. “We apologize for any inconvenience this causes for audiences. This is a venue where our Orchestra loves to perform, and we hope to be able to return to this beautiful setting in future seasons.”

How much does it cost to put on one concert? Good question. Why not just pass the hat during the concert?

“It’s not a figure we’re comfortable giving out,” said Orchestra spokesperson Gwen Pappas in a voicemail message. She says the Orchestra is at the beginning of its fiscal year and it’s presented a balanced budget plan to its board and they’re being “fiscally prudent in what everyone agrees it what will be a difficult economic year.”

The last concert will be a Sept. 11 memorial.

The Orchestra has performed an annual concert at Lake Harriet since September 2003.