Follow-Up: Phoenix Symphony Plays Tearful Final Concert Before Suspension; 66 Musicians Stop Being Paid Nov. 2
The latest development: the Phoenix Symphony's decision to suspend its 2026-27 season over a funding gap had been announced earlier; on Sunday, November 1, the orchestra's 66 musicians played their final concert before the suspension at Symphony Hall in downtown Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona, drawing repeated standing ovations from a sold-out crowd, with many in tears.
The program was a film concert of "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl," and the orchestra closed with Elgar's "Nimrod" from the Enigma Variations, a piece often played at funerals and other ceremonies. Principal flutist Viviana Cumplido Wilson told the audience it was a difficult day and that, starting Monday, November 2, the season suspension officially begins and the musicians on stage will be laid off; she asked supporters to keep following the musicians. Before the concert, musicians handed out leaflets outside the hall saying they were shocked and heartbroken by the board's decision to suspend the season after a strong opening weekend.
During the suspension the musicians will not be paid, and their health insurance ends November 30, after which they must pay for continued coverage themselves or go without; there is no set return date and no guarantee the season will resume. The musicians say they have played shortened seasons since 2023-24 in an orchestra below its contractual size, with base annual pay of about $47,400. They were set to meet management for bargaining on November 2.
(Source: Arizona Republic)
Source: Arizona Republic
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：凤凰城交响乐团的驻地凤凰城交响乐厅。Visitor7 摄，CC BY-SA 3.0，经 Wikimedia Commons。 / Photo: Symphony Hall in Phoenix, home of the Phoenix Symphony. By Visitor7, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
- 2026-10-20Phoenix Symphony Cancels Rest of Its 2026-27 Season: Board Cites Financial Shortfall, Final Concert Set for November 1
- 2026-11-01Phoenix Symphony to Suspend Its Season After the November 1 Performance, Citing a Financial Shortfall
- 2026-11-01Follow-Up: Phoenix Symphony Plays Tearful Final Concert Before Suspension; 66 Musicians Stop Being Paid Nov. 2This story
- 2026-11-02Follow-up: Phoenix Symphony Board, Staff and Musicians Meet on First Day of Suspension, Eyeing a Return This Month
- 2026-11-02Follow-Up: Phoenix Symphony Board and Musicians Hold Constructive Talks, Performances Could Resume This Month
