PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has silenced the Philadelphia Orchestra, forcing the cancellation of a 2023 series of performances in China planned for the 50th anniversary of their first performance there.
Back in 1973, the Philadelphia Orchestra became the first U.S. orchestra to play in China, says President Matias Tarnopolsky. They planned on marking that anniversary next May with a three-week tour of the country.
However, they must pull the plug, Tarnopolsky said — "because there's too much uncertainty around what would happen if members of our touring party came down with COVID during the tour and how much time they would have to spend in isolation."
Taking more than 100 people halfway across the world in an uncertain atmosphere is not something they are comfortable doing,Tarnopolsky said.
"You're much more exposed, and you're also having to work within the COVID rules of your host, and we were concerned that those rules required people to be in isolation for a very long time," he said. "And we couldn't risk having to leave people behind, especially for weeks, in a city because they tested positive for COVID."
He says there will be no remote digital performances either. Instead, they are turning their attention to their domestic audience.
"We're going to be announcing a whole range of performances and activities in Philadelphia in May for our audiences here at home, and it's going to be terrifically exciting. We can't wait to roll those plans out."
