RTE Symphony

Max001

Can anyone explain why the RTE Symphony Orchestra hardly ever plays outside Dublin?

In contrast, in a typical year, the Ulster Orchestra plays provincial cities and towns in the Republic of Ireland more frequently!

clarsax

I would imagine it's down to money. I'm sure the cost of hotels/transport etc for so many musicians would be quite large as far as i remember, they do 2 one week trips around the country each year and sometimes an educational outreach week also. Not sure who fund the Ulster orchestra, but RTE have a tight budget for the orchestras (probably get tighter now!)

Max001

I agree up to a point. Money might be an issue. So far as I know though, both symphony orchestras have broadly similar funding models and the Ulster is certainly not awash with money. How cost prohibitive can it really be to get to venues outside Dublin and back in a single evening?

I think its shameful though, that a symphony orchestra from the UK plays provincial Ireland more often than the RTE Symphony.

I did ask this question of Seamus Crimmins, Director of RTE Performing Groups and got no answer at all.

Dirigent

I believe there's a chicken-and-egg problem here. They went on tour recently with the Brahms #4, and I heard feedback that the concerts weren't well attended. They can go on tour with a Mozart piano concerto and a Beethoven symphony and people will come, but if they try anything modern or different, they play to empty halls.