http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2013/10/03/daily-circuit-carlson-orchestra

In a recent conversation with Minnesota Public Radio, Former Governor Arne Carlson made the astute observation that the loss of a hallmark Orchestra, such as the Minnesota Orchestra, is essentially immoral. As the state spent nearly a billion over the last twenty years funding stadiums for football and baseball teams on the grounds that new stadiums were “good for the economy”, Gov. Carlson made the argument that the economic impact of losing the Orchestra is just as damning and that further, the quality of life of Minnesotans will necessarily go down.

Some of my fans may not know this, but I lived in Minnesota for nine years. I remember the impact that the Orchestra had on the community and the state. I had the great privilege of singing La Traviata with them in 2008. I will always remember fondly, my times in Minnesota. But knowing that the leadership at the Minnesota Orchestra and the players themselves are at am impasse is so troubling to me, personally.

Governor Carlson made the argument that I’ve made publicly many times…arts funding should be a private-public endeavor…it should be a collaboration of the state with local and state wide business leaders who can either effectively raise money or donate directly for the benefit of the community and the state should set parameters of how the funds be delegated and issue bonds match the private investment, as needed. Let’s never forget that losing an orchestra has implications that stretch far beyond just musicians losing their jobs, which is horrendous in itself. Critical infrastructure and businesses in the areas that surround the orchestra will be more distressed, fewer customers will enjoy eating at restaurants and bars nearby, transit companies will have fewer people to move around, parking garages  will go unfilled, and the list goes on. Not only will the employee of non-musicians be in jeopardy, the ripple effect is that the state will actually be a loser when taking important tax revenue, necessary to balance budgets. Citizens too have an obligation to stand up and fight for an institution that is so engraved into the fabric of the city…through vocal and financial support. Classical Music has that tacit social benefit that people ignore or don’t realize until it’s gone…people feel good being witnesses of magnificent music and losing it imperils, as Mr. Carlson argued, Minnesotan’s quality of life. And as Prime Minister Churchill always argued in the dark days of the Second World War, without art and culture, what is there left to fight for?

The Minnesota Orchestra is a very important institution, recognized worldwide for it’s luxurious playing, and wonderful leadership by now Former Music Director Osmo Vanska. I call on Democratic Governor Dayton to do more than he is doing now and organize to settle the dispute between the players and administration over a budget that quite frankly doesn’t touch those of major sports teams, something Minnesotan’s also hold dear to their hearts. Mayor Bloomberg of New York City decided to leave it up to NYCO to fend for themselves, a poor decision in my humble opinion considering the historical mark and economic stamp that the institution has had on New York City for decades. The Governor and Mayor R. T. Rybak of Minneapolis should now stand in solidarity with the orchestra to keep alive such a magnificent institution, that if it were to perish like other great artistic organizations, would be a horrendous loss for such a vibrant and accessible city. Get to work Mr. Governor and Mr. Mayor, now.