Petrenko: RLPO “could be lost”

The mercurial conductor argues cuts by Liverpool City Council could jeopardise one of the UK’s greatest orchestras.

Vasily Petrenko, Chief Conductor of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Classic FM's Orchestra in North West England, has responded to draft budget proposals by Liverpool City Council. The document, which was published today, is mooting a 20% cut to the music organisation’s grant for 2011/12.

The latest cuts are in addition to the loss of 6.9% of Arts Council England’s grant, which in total means the Liverpool Philharmonic faces a reduction in revenue of £450,000.

Petrenko responded to the news:
“We are grateful for the confidence and investment that Liverpool City Council gives to this organisation…. We have achieved a huge amount together and there is still a lot more we can achieve for ourselves and for the City and people of Liverpool, but all this could be lost very quickly with a reduction in funding of this scale”.

Michael Eakin, Chief Executive of Liverpool Philharmonic added:
“A cut of this magnitude threatens to undermine all that this organisation has achieved in recent years, supported by the City’s investment. It jeopardises our ability to stay on track and sustain a world-class professional symphony orchestra in Liverpool.”