Around the Music Festival

Eric Garcetti, Mayor of Los Angeles has told CNN that gatherings for sport and music may not resume in 2020.

The mayor, who is busy responding to the spread of new coronavirus infection, said:‘It is difficult to imagine us getting together in the thousands anytime soon, so I think we should be prepared for that this year.

The mayor’s remarks are taken as a representation of the view that it will be difficult to lift the ban on events that attract many people until the advent of therapeutic drugs and vaccines.

In the United States, large-scale events have been banned and theaters have been blocked nationwide until May 1, but the state of California has already announced a policy of extending until May 15.

As of April 15, the state of infection in California was 23,338 infected and 758 dead. In Los Angeles, 10,047 people have been found infected and 360 have died.

In the music world, both the Los Angeles Opera and the Los Angeles Philharmonic have canceled all the remaining performances of the 2019/2020 season.

For this reason, the Los Angeles Philharmonic has decided to reduce the salaries of 101 orchestra members, starting from April 20 with 65% of the basic salary, and laying off 94 part-time workers. Music director Gustavo Dudamel has also given back remuneration for canceled performances.

There is a view that the plan to open the new season in September will be difficult at this point. The opera and orchestra worlds are likely to be forced into more difficult situations.

Photo：Mayor Eric Garcetti　/　coronavirus.lacity.org