Carol Springer Died and Is Philadelphia Orchestra Doomed,Cursed or Just Stupid?

End of an era.....  I won't speak ill of the dead, so I will simply tell you that Carol Springer has gone to that great society column in the sky where she will undoubtedly tell the angel Gabriel and St. Peter to (a) put down their wine glasses when being photographed (b) ask them if they are from the Main Line.  All snarky aside, read the Main Line Times' touching tribute to her HERE.

Now of all the ironies, the day this end of an era news breaks, I also hear from a pal stuck going how much of a massive cluster fart Opening Night of the Philadelphia Orchestra is tonight .  Apparently, it's become a bit of a road rally/scavenger hunt with all the changes including performers AND location.


But of course the Orchestra Association always knows better than anyone else.  What's a little strike of theatre workers or whatever at the Kimmel, a bankruptcy, and bungled talks with the musicians when you want to throw a party for a bunch of social climbers to celebrate Opening Night?  I will tell you what, they are like Marie Antoinette and "let them eat cake."

I wouldn't give them a plug nickel.  They never learn. 

They used to do Opening Night in September, didn't they? But it's tonight - unlucky 13 of it all.  They moved the concert and gala to West Philadelphia and U Penn (Irvine Auditorium and Museum of Archeology and Anthropology) - here's their spinny von spin press release .  Of course I just love how a bankrupt institution that seems to use new math or a broken abacus to count money can afford to have both a Vice President of PR and Communications (Katherine Blodgett) and an Assistant Director of PR (Kate Johnston) on payroll, don't you?  One to hold the ass and one to wipe I suppose....

And then oh yes, a change of artist to go with the change of venue - Dawn Upshaw is out and soprano on loan Deborah Voight is pinch hitting.  The Orchestra is now as brilliant as Philadelphia sports teams apparently.

And let's see if any of you can pick up the amateur hour mistakes on what they put out for the committee list on their website.   Sure is embarrassing all those names run together and Peter Beloliel's pal  referred to by "Willo" like she is Cher or Madonna (what's a material girl to do anyway?) - her last name runs to the next line, but all most will notice is she's listed like Cher or Madonna. Another example?  Check Despina Page - she's listed as Moore Despina F. Page and that just sounds wrong. And the fact that there is a total Emily Post inconsistency as to whether committee women are just nothing or Mrs. or Ms. - they should be listed as Ms. So and So,  or Mrs. Husband's First Name Last Name or Mrs. Their Own First Name and Last Name.  But in this sloppiness they are a little bit country and a little bit rock and roll.

The frayed edges of the Philadelphia Orchestra are showing and I bet no matter what anyone says tonight will kind of suck.  But you will never hear of money lost......

I love this blog post by Peter Dobrin:

Tuesday, October 11, 2011
The orchestra and all the things that can go wrong on the way to opening night

More:

Posted on Wed, Oct. 12, 2011
Voigt replaces Upshaw for Philadelphia Orchestra's opening night
By David Patrick Stearns
Inquirer Classical Music Critic

Posted on Sat, Oct. 8, 2011

Philadelphia Orchestra moves its season-opening concert
By David Patrick Stearns