Click here to subscribe today or Login.
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Music has returned to Heinz Hall in Pittsburgh this weekend after a two-month orchestra strike that cost fans much of the fall season.
The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra’s financial woes remain a concern even as musicians took a 7.5 percent pay cut and the orchestra cut 10 staff jobs to save $800,000 a year.
Officials hope to raise $13 million over five years to stabilize the financial outlook.
Both management and the 99 orchestra members credit federal mediators with helping end the 55-day strike last month and say new donations have helped soften the budget cutbacks.
The contract calls for musicians to return to their original $107,000 base salary level within five years.
The 120-year-old symphony is holding two free concerts this weekend led by conductor Manfred Honeck.