Budget Forces Symphony to Delay Requiem

In a move to balance its current budget, the Pacific Symphony has postponed until next season the Verdi Requiem planned for April 26 and 27 at the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa.

“This (move) saves $75,000,” orchestra executive director Louis G. Spisto said Thursday.

“It is a one-step approach to bring us into line. Programs such as (the Requiem) are very expensive to do. The $75,000 is above the normal cost of presenting the Pacific Symphony.”

Spisto attributed the financial problems to two reasons: a shortfall in subscription sales and the addition of two performances of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, which also requires choral accompaniment, after the season had been planned.

An additional $25,000 has been saved by cutting expenses, Spisto said, which will leave the 1988-89 budget balanced.

Spisto said that new programs will be announced later for the April 26 and 27 dates but that they will not include works requiring chorus.

Soloists for the Verdi Requiem were to have included soprano Aprile Millo and mezzo-soprano Dolora Zajic.

“They will appear with the Pacific Symphony. The question is when,” Spisto said.

According to Spisto, negotiations with Millo to sing on the new programs in April were under way. Zajic will appear during the 1990-91 season, he said.

The Pacific Chorale, which was to have sung in the Verdi Requiem, will sing in the Beethoven Ninth Symphony on May 10 and 11.

Spisto said adding Beethoven’s Ninth May 10 and 11--the last concerts that founding music director Keith Clark will conduct--after the season was initially planned overburdened the budget. Clark could not be reached for comment.

“Our goal is to balance our budget this year,” Spisto said. “We have to work within the income we have. I think that makes us more attractive to our funding sources, both foundations and corporations.

Spisto said that the orchestra had budgeted for 85% of Center capacity for subscription sales but that only 72% was sold. Single tickets, however, were higher than anticipated but have not made up the difference, he said.

On the other hand, subscriptions to the pops series have exceeded expectations, Spisto said. Last year, the orchestra sold 60% of capacity; this year, it jumped to 78%.