The Calgary Philharmonic has announced the cancellation of all in-person programming, including regular, education, and outreach concerts, as well as open rehearsals between September and December 2020.
Beyond December 2020, the orchestra will also be removing any choral performances through 2021. The move appears to run counter to an open letter released this week by Canadian choral leaders calling for fair consideration against recent media coverage they state is “based on out-of-date, insufficiently researched, anecdotal and sensationalist information.”
“We realize this news is as disappointing for you as it is for us, but the provincial timeline for reopening remains uncertain and we need to give our audience members, musicians, guest artists, staff, and volunteers the time they need to plan ahead,” says CPO President and CEO Paul Dornian. “As soon as the concert hall shut down in March, we started planning for a safe return that prioritizes everyone’s health and well-being. When the time is right to bring the full Orchestra back onstage and welcome a full house back into the concert hall, we’ll be ready. Until then, we’ll continue to find other ways to keep the music playing — stay tuned.”
The CPO stated they are working towards developing alternatives ways to present music within provincial health and safety guidelines this fall. Further details on what that might entail will be announced details soon.
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