PITTSBURGH, PA (CelebrityAccess) — Elvis Costello has canceled an upcoming date on his Imperial Bedroom & Other Chambers tour in solidarity with the striking musicians of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra.
Costello was set to perform at Heinz Hall for the Performing Arts in Pittsburgh, PA on November 1st. Heinz Hall is the orchestra's home venue.
In a post on his website, Costello wrote:
"I regret to inform you that our "Imperial Bedroom & Other Chambers" concert at Heinz Hall cannot go ahead, as I am unwilling to cross an AFofM picket line during the current strike by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. I hope that the dispute will soon be settled honorably and amicably and that The Imposters and I will have the opportunity to perform at Heinz Hall before too long.
"We send our apologies to ticket holders and all our friends in Pittsburgh with thanks for your understanding and support of live music wherever it is heard."
The orchestra went on strike last month, claiming that the symphony's management was seeking substantial cuts for the orchestra, including a 15% pay cut, changes to the pension and a reduction in the number of positions in the orchestra, according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Symphony management told the Post-Gazette that the loss of a subsidy from the Cultural Trust and fewer rentals of Heinz Hall for Broadway productions have resulted in a decline in revenue for the organization and said they would run out of cash by June 2017 without changes. – Staff Writers
