SPCO concerts canceled through May 5

SPCO lockout deal
Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra Interim President Dobson West pauses during an announcement of a tentative contract deal, possibly ending the six-month lockout of SPCO musicians, at the Ordway Center for Performing Arts in St. Paul, Minn. Wednesday, April 10 2013.
MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson

Two more weeks of performances by the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra were canceled by management today, despite reaching a tentative labor agreement with musicians last week.

Interim SPCO President Dobson West announced the cancellations in a message to SPCO supporters. He said last week's tentative local agreement is dependant in part on reaching an agreement with the national American Federation of Musicians on broadcast and Internet rights.

West said talks continue with the AFM, but they have not reached an agreement yet. As result, concerts are now canceled through May 5. West says he hopes these will be the last concert cancellations.

A representative for the musicians said the cancellations were disappointing, but not unexpected.

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