Seven months after ending a contentious labor dispute and lockout of its musicians, the Minnesota Orchestra has inspired confidence in some major donors. The orchestra has received four anonymous gifts totaling $13.2 million, including one gift for $10 million. The gifts are a “tremendous shot in the arm at a very critical moment,”Interim President and Read more →
Minnesota Orchestra fills out the rest of its 2014-15 performance schedule by revealing the Live at Orchestra Hall series, its holiday concert offerings, and the family concerts. Read more →
The Minnesota Orchestra today released a jam-packed 2014-15 season, its first full season since ending a contentious labor-management struggle. Read more →
Comedian Bill Cosby today cancelled two concerts scheduled for May 31 at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis. The Minnesota Orchestra, which was presenting the shows, said in a release that the cancellations were due to “lower than anticipated ticket sales.” They will be rescheduled at some as yet unspecified date, orchestra officials said. The Cosby shows were Read more →
While remaining tight-lipped about negotiations over a possible return to the Minnesota Orchestra, former Music Director Osmo Vanska has told the Washington Post a little about the showdown which led to his resignation. In an article published today in advance of Vanska’s appearance with the National Symphony Orchestra this weekend, Vanska reveals how he tried to bring management and Read more →
Minnesota Orchestra Principal Cellist Tony Ross will remain with Minnesota. Read more →
Minnesota Orchestra Principal Clarinetist Burt Hara has elected not to return to Minnesota after a one-year leave from his post. Last spring, amidst the Minnesota Orchestra lockout, Hara won a position with the Los Angeles Philharmonic; under their contract musicians are allowed to take one year leaves of absence to try out new positions before Read more →
The board of the Minnesota Orchestra met Friday for three hours without taking public action on the futures of president and CEO Michael Henson and former Music Director Osmo Vanska. Read more →
Former Minnesota Orchestra conductor and Artistic Director Osmo Vanska says it’s time for President Michael Henson to step down. Vanska kept quiet for much of the Minnesota Orchestra’s lockout, but perhaps recent calls for his return have emboldened the soft-spoken Finn. In a conversation Saturday with Brian Newhouse, managing director of Classical Minnesota Public Radio, Read more →
The Minnesota Orchestra Board of Directors has elected Gordon Sprenger, former president and CEO of Allina Health System, as its new chair. Board members chose Sprenger this morning after a phone meeting that reportedly lasted only 20 minutes. Afterwards, Sprenger said his first job will be to rebuild trust between the orchestra’s board, musicians, administration and audience. Read more →
Marianne Combs
Euan Kerr