The Strasbourg Philharmonic, which is threatened with deep cuts, is coming on tour next week to Lyon, Birmingham, Basingstoke, London (Cadogan Hall) and Llandaff Cathedral. This is unlikely to relieve the orchestra’s financial plight.  The United Kingdom is unable, at present, to offer asylum to orchestras when its own are in deeper mire.

Strasbourg’s executive director Marie Linden has issued this attempt at reassurance:

Ladies and gentlemen, dear subscribers,

For several weeks, the press has been reporting concerns related to the budgetary debates taking place at the Orchestra.

I know you are deeply attached to our – your orchestra. And I understand the questions that the current media coverage may raise on your side. It therefore seems important to me today to address you, to report the situation in complete transparency.

It is true that, from 2022, the City of Strasbourg has announced a 2.5% reduction in its subsidy. This measure (which results in a reduction of €247,500 on an annual subsidy of €9,900 000 €) will actually come into force in 2025, because it did not apply in 2023 and was compensated in 2024 by another system.

Furthermore, for two years, like everyone else, we have suffered from inflation in all of our expenses. These unprecedented increases particularly affect the payroll of the 135 members of the Orchestra , due to the increase in the civil service index point decided by the government. The rental of our premises and the Erasmus Room, technical services, the cost of paper, the rental of scores, artists’ travel, etc., are also constantly increasing, despite the support that many of our partners give us. and service providers.

Thus, we have to face a real budgetary challenge: increased spending and reduced resources create a “scissor effect” that we must manage. We are fully committed to it, reconciling artistic ambition and responsibility.

There is not much room for maneuver on spending (all budget lines having already been scrutinized); in fact, personnel costs represent a very significant part of our budget, and we will have to contain it in the coming years by delaying certain recruitments. We also had to make the decision to cancel our tour in Poland next May (travel always entailing significant net costs) and an audiovisual recording project. If the concerts are no longer doubled (with some exceptions) it is because we have noticed that a large part of our audience can concentrate on a single evening and that the elimination of a ^2nd evening allows significant savings (even if we are well aware that it is not trivial, for you as for the musicians).

In these difficult times, it is normal for any institution to rise to the challenges it encounters. We are not an exception. We must adapt, we must innovate, and new symphony concert formats will see the light of day next season. Thanks to the passionate work carried out by the teams, we have placed the Orchestra in a dynamic which is bearing fruit and is not called into question today. The mobilization of musicians around the Orchestra project is very strong, and I understand it. We are collectively working to:

–          maintain our musical ambition under the direction of Aziz Shokhakimov , with musicians whose level and commitment are more recognized than ever;

–          preserve our artistic identity, the one that has made the Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra, since 1855, a unique formation in the French and European musical landscape, with a repertoire made possible by the workforce of 110 musicians, notably giving pride of place to composers post-romantic – Bruckner, Mahler, Strauss, etc. ;

–          continue to welcome the greatest soloists on the international scene to Strasbourg ;

–          continue quality programming for young audiences .

Our artistic ambition will continue to take into account the major issues of our time , such as the ecological transition and the inclusion of all audiences.

Your attachment to the Orchestra is a strength for us, musicians and all administrative and technical teams. It is reciprocal: sharing musical excellence with you is our reason for being. We are more determined than ever.

With all my gratitude for your loyalty,

With the assurance of my dedication to the service of the Orchestra and its public,

Marie Linden

Executive Director