Coronavirus: Melbourne Symphony Orchestra in ‘hibernation’

MSO musicians Trevor Jones, Anne-Marie Johnson, Nico Fleury and Chris Cartlidge. Picture: Jake Nowakowski

The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra was the first to take advantage of digital streaming at the dark dawn of the coronavirus lockdown — now it has been forced to stand down its musicians.

The MSO board, led by chairman Michael Ullmer, has directed management to “hibernate” all musicians and 12 members of the administration staff.

Since the lockdown took effect in mid-March, the MSO has been unable to give performances to live audiences, and has lost a “significant portion” of its box-office revenue. Income from donations and sponsorships also are likely to be affected.

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The orchestra has given concerts filmed in empty auditoriums and live-streamed the performances on the internet, starting with a concert featuring guest cello soloist Timo-Veikko Valve last month.

A statement from the MSO says the musicians remain employees and it is intended that they will return to work as soon as possible. Staff who have remained at work have taken a 20 per cent pay cut.

Ullmer says the orchestra is grateful for ongoing state and federal government support, including the JobKeeper wage subsidy.

“Our overriding objective is to preserve this great organisation so that it can prosper into the future, and to do this it must have the financial strength to survive this crisis,” he says.

“It is with great regret that we have no other option at this time other than to enact a stand down of our musicians, and we have instructed MSO management to commence a process of ‘hibernation’ effective today.”

The statement continues: “We are grateful to the federal and state governments who have confirmed that the MSO will retain its core funding for the 2020 year. We also recognise the positive impact that the federal government’s JobKeeper program will have in supporting our many employees through this period. Our aim is to have the MSO back, up and running in the not too distant future.”