Orchestra takes 45-day hiatus

The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra has suspended concerts for 45 days after filing a bankruptcy notice in court.

The move is the latest in a series of steps the orchestra has taken in recent years to try to rid itself of debt that now totals more than $650,000. Under the bankruptcy filing, a court-appointed interim official is drawing up a new business plan for the rest of the season. It includes a smaller orchestra, fewer performances and a reduced administrative staff, board chairman Larry Fichtner said.