One of Cleveland's long-standing, world renowned cultural institutions - the Cleveland Orchestra - is facing a projected 4.5 million deficient by the end of the fiscal year in June. With diminishing endowments and reduced revenues, the Orchestra is being forced to cut back.

Executive Director Gary Hanson will take a 15 percent pay cut, and Music Director Franz Wesler-Möst will take a 20 percent cut. In addition, the Orchestra will scale back regular season performances, and cancel tour dates that are expected to lose money.

Hanson also says that the orchestra will seek concessions from musicians and other staff represented under labor contracts.

Last year between June and December, the orchestra's endowment lost 26 percent of its value. Hanson says that the orchestra is ramping up its fundraising efforts in order to replenish the endowment.

What's being performed at the Orchestra this month?

The Marriage of Figaro

Wednesday, March 25, 2009 at 7:00 PM
Friday, March 27, 2009 at 7:00 PM
Sunday, March 29, 2009 at 3:00 PM

at Severance Hall

The Cleveland Orchestra
Franz Welser-Möst, conductor
Michael Volle, baritone (Count Almaviva)
Malin Hartelius, soprano (Countess Almaviva)
Martina Jankova, soprano (Susanna)
Ruben Drole, baritone (Figaro)
Isabel Leonard, mezzo-soprano (Cherubino)
Mozart: Le nozze di Figaro (“The Marriage of Figaro”)

Fully staged opera in Severance Hall (Sung in Italian with English surtitles)

For the first time in more than thirty years, the Cleveland Orchestra moves into the orchestra pit of Severance Hall for fully staged opera. Hear Mozart’s masterpiece of love, jealousy and infidelity under Franz Welser-Möst’s masterful direction. The Zurich Opera’s vibrant, comic and contemporary staging comes to Cleveland in this production. Don’t miss the return of staged opera at Severance Hall!

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