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After war erupted among the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra board of directors, and managing director Sophie Galaise departing effective immediately this week, a letter has been sent to members addressing the challenging times. There has been much controversy and upheaval since the removal of acclaimed pianist Jayson Gillham from a performance after he spoke in support of journalists who died in Gaza was an error, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) admitted. Managing director Sophie Galaise departed, effective immediately, this week.
Picture: Supplied Earlier this week the board appointed musician and former Federal Arts Minister Peter Garrett to lead an independent external review into the company’s freedom of artistic expression protocols coinciding with the departure of Galaise. Peter Garrett has been appointed to conduct the review into the MSO. Picture: Belinda Rolland A letter was sent on Thursday morning to members and fans from MSO Strategic Adviser Richard Wigley, saying they were returning to Hamer Hall tonight after a three week hiatus: “As you may be aware, the past few weeks have seen the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra subject to media scrutiny on multiple fronts .
It has been a challenging time and we thank you for your continued support of our musicians and staff. In my first few days with the MSO I can attest to the passion that every person here holds for this exceptional cultural institution. As I continue to learn more about Melbourne and Victoria, I look forward to meeting many of you in the broader MSO community.
I want to acknowledge the impact these consistent, negative headlines and stories are having on everyone who loves this Orchestra. As the Garrett Review terms of reference are finalised and in the coming months, I expect we will continue to see the MSO feature in the press, and we will share important updates as they arise. In the meantime, please know that we are taking all possible steps to safeguard the reputation of the MSO.
Tonight we return to Hamer Hall for the first time in almost three weeks; it will be so beautiful to hear music-making on our stage again. After all, it is the reason we are here.” Premier Jacinta Allan did not weigh in on the reported infighting.
Picture: David Geraghty Premier Jacinta Allan did not comment on the reported infighting, but urged the Garrett Review to resolve the issues facing the MSO board in a “stable and steady way”. “In terms of the matters that the board of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra are currently considering, that is very much a matter for those independent boards,” the Premier said. “Of course, we would like to see stability in all of our organisations and I urge those considering the challenging, and I acknowledge it is a challenging set of circumstances that I think we are seeing the entire community grappling with, urge that the board can resolve those matters in a in a very stable and steady way.
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