While the increasingly discordant standoff between striking musicians of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and their management continues to silence Orchestra Hall, the musicians are picking up their instruments for a series of free concerts at other venues.
The discord, so far, includes warring bar charts (purporting to show how well CSO musicians are doing in comparison to musicians in six other major orchestras); claims by both sides that if the other has its way the CSO, as we know it, will cease to exist; and, on Thursday, a verbal attack on philanthropist and Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association board treasurer James Mabie by Chicago Teachers Union president Jesse Sharkey over the main issue in the strike: pensions.
Meanwhile, the musicians are getting a lot of other public love. Among those expressing their support are former CSO music director Daniel Barenboim, current music director Riccardo Muti, both Chicago mayoral candidates, and Nancy Pelosi, who assured the musicians that “Democrats stand in solidarity with you.” v
A chamber concert by musicians of the CSO Sunday, March 24, 8 PM, Ganz Hall, Roosevelt University, 430 S. Michigan; free, but reservations required.https://tinyurl.com/CSOganzhall.
