Rumors, harmony and discord

Take a look at this troubling article from Cleveland Magazine about the future of the Cleveland Orchestra and ask yourself if the same questions could be applied to the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra.

The problems are hidden on page 6 of this article, where the author points out that in 2005, Cleveland lost $4.4 million. In 2006, its deficit was $5.7 million.

Cincinnati's loss has not been that dramatic, but a large draw from the endowment over several years partly masked its deficit. Now that the orchestra is reducing its draw down to an acceptable 6 percent, it is challenged to close an annual $2 million gap. Will it succeed?

I've heard the same comment voiced by board members here that are quoted in this story, about dropping down to a "regional orchestra."

That would be tragic in both cities.

At stake here, as in Cleveland, is keeping an institution in our city that we can say is one of the nation's finest.

Meanwhile, coming up are musician contract negotiations in Cincinnati, an endowment campaign and -- possibly -- a renovation of Music Hall.

Rumors on that front are not promising, either. I've heard the number $100 million tossed around about renovations. And I've also heard "Who's in charge?"

Between the city owning the building, CAA managing it, and 3CDC building (we think) a garage next door (but Music Hall is not on their radar screen) -- nobody seems to know what anybody is doing...