Sinking SouthBank opens doors – but not to audience

The London arts centre, under pressure from its resident ensemble, has commbled together ‘Inside Out – a 3-month series of multi-arts events’.

It includes 30 orchestral concerts, with 16 conductors and 28 soloists, 13 of them by the London Philharmonic Orchestra, which says:
For each concert the orchestral forces will comprise approximately 60 players, to be complemented by instrumental and vocal soloists. Edward Gardner, Principal Conductor Designate, opens the season with a programme of Widmann, Sibelius and Beethoven, and also taking charge of concerts over the three months are Principal Conductor Vladimir Jurowski, Principal Guest Conductor Karina Canellakis, and guests John Storgårds, Jukka-Pekka Saraste, Thierry Fischer, Daniele Rustioni, Hannu Lintu and Thomas Søndergård. The Orchestra is delighted to have secured a partnership with Marquee TV, the world’s leading arts streaming service.

The other main resident orchestra, the Philharmonia, contributes just four concerts.

The SouthBank is heavily in debt and heading for break-up.