The musicians of the Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra are worried about the future of their formation, one of the largest in France. Because the OPS is experiencing a drop in its municipal allocation of 2.5% in 2024. Behind this reality lies the thorny question of the future financing of major cultural institutions in France.
The Daily Regions
Every day at 1 p.m., our editorial team has the best regional news for you. A selection just for you, to stay in touch with your regions.
France Télévisions uses your email address to send you the newsletter “La Quotidienne des Régions”. You can unsubscribe at any time via the link at the bottom of this newsletter. Our privacy policy
It was a wonderful concert, entitled In the land of festivals and tales. A reunion concert on the stage of the Salle Erasme with conductor Marko Letonja, former musical director of the Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra. But this February 9, the evening also hid a less charming reality. It ended with the broadcast of a press release entitled A notre public distributed by the musicians themselves. It begins like this: “We, musicians of the Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra, would like to express to you our concerns regarding the future of your orchestra.”
Because times are tough for the world of culture. In Strasbourg, a 2.5% reduction in allocations is applied in 2024 to the ten most endowed cultural institutions in the city. “This has been widely discussed, but it is not an easy decision that we have made,” commented culture assistant Anne Mistler last December. This reduction for the Strasbourg orchestra is 250,000 euros less, out of a total budget of 13 million. The city alone provides more than 70% of this amount.
There were around thirty of us musicians interacting with the public.
Rafaël Angster, musician of the OPS
The musicians’ action is a reaction to the uneasiness caused by this budgetary choice. “It seemed important and appropriate for us that the words of the musicians be heard. This press release is a collective voice, which is why it took a little time. We chose a method live broadcast, at the end of a concert. There were around thirty of us musicians interacting with the public. It was a very beautiful moment”, summarizes Rafaël Angster, musician and SNAM-CGT representative, contacted between two concerts given in Bristol and London. Because the Philharmonic is on tour these days. It carries the image of Strasbourg abroad.
Musicians know that OPS is not an isolated case. It faces, like all orchestras in France, budgetary difficulties. The increase in the index point decided by the State inflates the wage bill, “and that’s good for the employees”, comments the assistant. But to this must be added the soaring costs of transport and accommodation during tours. And this weighs heavily on the overall budget, especially with a very large orchestra like the Strasbourg Philharmonic which has 110 musicians.
The musicians of the Strasbourg Philharmonic Orchestra take the Eurostar on February 12 for a tour of England. • © Grégory Massat / OPS
An exceptional subsidy of 200,000 euros was granted by the city this year, to which is added 48,000 euros awarded by the Eurométropole. This makes it possible to absorb the 2.5% reduction in municipal funding. In 2024, the orchestra will therefore benefit, as in 2023, from the budget necessary for its operation. But what will happen next?
It would be absurd for a city to sabotage its orchestra.
Anne Mistler, culture assistant
“It’s a real difficulty for all the cities that have a quality orchestra, and the State has not increased its allocations for a long time, explains Anne Mistler. It’s a difficult time, but we will manage to get through it because we are fighting for it. We love our orchestra. There is a communion between the musicians and the public. You have to work in the long term. It would be absurd for a city to scuttle its orchestra.” Should we now imagine other sources of financing? The sustainability of these great groups capable of performing the great works of the repertoire is at stake.
“The mayor of Strasbourg told us her attachment to the orchestra and we do not doubt her sincerity. What I regret is that we do not have a lasting commitment to maintaining the workforce, frequency of concerts and ambitions for the future”, deplores Rafaël Angster, while the tour planned for Poland in May 2024 was canceled precisely for budgetary reasons.
A certain vagueness surrounds the future of the orchestra even if no one envisages a reduction in numbers. The 110 musicians are a “strike force” says Marie Linden, the orchestra’s general director. “We continue to program great works,” she still assures. Even if future retirements will not be replaced immediately to save time on cash flow.
A strategy to delay difficulties. The 2025 budget will be constrained. So to the question “And now ?”, the musicians simply respond: “Well, we’re resuming our lives as musicians! To ensure our mission in this magnificent orchestra while remaining very vigilant about the future. We hope that our speaking out will not leave decision-makers indifferent.”
With the hope of being able to continue playing Strauss, Mahler, Bruckner, Bartók, Stravinsky… A repertoire for large orchestras which makes the identity of the OPS within the national orchestras in France. The public can support the orchestra via a online petition which has gathered 2,500 signatures to date.
2024-02-15 11:34:48
#Concerns #Strasbourg #Philharmonic #Orchestra #city #means #ensure #ambitions
