FERENC ERKEL’S ORCHESTRA IN DISTRESS

After 152 years of its foundation the Philharmonic Society in in extreme peril. The orchestra, founded by Ferenc Erkel, now functioning as a society, which consists of the best musicians of the Opera House, this year has not received its annual HUF 50 million subsidy, so far granted from the minister’s special budget. Finally the Ministry promised HUF 12 million but even this sum has not arrived though since January the members of the orchestra have not received their salaries.

Though they started a demonstration, nothing happened. They had to delay the sale of tickets for subscription concerts for a time but the solidarity of the audience resulted in HUF 10 million in three days for subscriptions. It is up to the Minister of Culture now if the orchestra can produce a programme, too.