Since the turn of the year, the orchestra has learned that its music director Peter Oundjian is stepping down in 2018.

Then its president, Jeff Melanson, got tangled in a sensational divorce case with implication for his hiring practices and was gone before sunrise.

Now the orchestra is facing a $12 million deficit, or more. Details here.

That black hole will make it harder to attract a new music director and chief executive of the qualities required.

How did it all go so wrong so fast?

Germany’s culture minister, the estimable Monika Grütters, has said her government will work in Brussels to find a solution that will prevent the abolition of the European Union Youth Orchestra.

Ms Grütters is politically and personally close to Chancellor Merkel. The Brussels culture commissioner Tibor Navracsics has suddenly said he does not rule out the possibility of a new funding application from EUYO.

The sands may be shifting.

Meanwhile, Tibor Navracsics  has received ths letter from the orchestra of a Scala Milan:
Although the Filarmonica della Scala is a self-supporting organisation without public funding, we are all deeply concerned about what is happening to the European Youth Orchestra; not only in terms of the cultural and symbolic value that the orchestra has for many young people within the EU but also in the light of our common history as in 1976 the initial project of the youth symphonic orchestra was the brainchild of Claudio Abbado who was also the founder of the Filarmonica della Scala. Therefore, we have two valid reasons for supporting the EUYO: the first being that Italy has played a crucial part in this project and we should not forget Claudio Abbado’s role in making unparalleled music as well as putting music at the heart of the life of people and institutions alike. The second being that today’s European Union of bureaucrats without vision is very far from the ideals upon which it was founded. The European Union Youth Orchestra still stands as one of our most important ambassadors, a potent symbol of union. The message of hope, community spirit and participation that involves more than 160 young people from the EU is priceless. This is part of the history, identity and cultural growth of a community of peoples.

Here’s what we know of the concert.

It took place on May 8 in Torino. The octogenarian soprano Fauta Truffa sang “La Vergine degli angeli” from “Forza del destino” by Verdi.

The chorus consisted of members from the Coro di Torino and Coro ArcalRai. The conductor was Riccardo Berruto. The pianist, Andrea Turchetto.

Astonishing.