The concert halls are expected to open on June 14, adhering to the rules of distance, but what about the older musicians and audience?

• Fiddler from Rishon Le Zion Orchestra in front of an empty hall

  Photo: 

  Gal Gutman

About a week ago, the outgoing Minister of Culture, Miri Regev, presented an outline for the opening of cultural institutions in Israel, according to which the halls will open on June 14 in a limited format and strictly adhering to the rules of physical remoteness. But Regev's statement did not gain much credence from the Forum of Cultural and Art Institutions in Israel. "This is an irresponsible statement," said Ofer Sela, CEO of the Israeli Orchestra Rishon Lezion, "not one with no content, and to date there is no decision or outline rehearse in."

This is more than two months classical music world is stagnating. The musicians are sitting in their homes, halls While most restrictions have been removed from the Israeli economy - educational institutions are opened, shops are open, beaches, parks and parks are full of vacationers - there is still no plan to open concert halls, and thousands of musicians and orchestras are lacking.

"We are conducting an ongoing discussion with the Ministry of Health about a return to the halls," says Sela, "but it is going slow and slow. We are talking about two separate issues: the artists and the audience. At an average concert there are a few dozen musicians, One with a profit according to regulations and masks. And we didn't talk about some of the musicians being older. "

Rishon Letzion orchestra, most of them employees, were unpaid leave on March 15, and have lived since the unemployment benefits. Many other musicians are working freelance, and the situation is more problematic, because they do not have unemployment benefits.

The other side in the equation is the audience. Rock bands and managers others talked in recent months with many subscribers. "they are very patient, but everyone knows we need them and we have canceled concerts have to find a way to compensate."

Gilli Alon Bitton, CEO of the Jerusalem Baroque orchestra, adds: "we have almost a family relationship with a part Bigger than subscribers, and we made sure to maintain that connection throughout the period. "

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currently busy with the orchestra in plans for 2021. "Clearly, 2020 has been severely hit in the revenue field, and we expect 2021 to be financially difficult as well. Know if we can bring in artists from abroad, and most importantly, if the audience comes back to visit the concert halls. "The concert audience in the country is mostly an adult, this is a public at risk," Sela says

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