The Concert Association of Florida has canceled three classical events slated for the 2008-09 season at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, indicating a burgeoning fiscal and artistic crisis at the Miami presenting organization.
In January, CEO Albert Milano announced that the Concert Association would form a new orchestra to be called The Florida Symphony. Made up of local freelance players, the ensemble would perform several events.
On Tuesday the Concert Association announced three concerts would be canceled due to a lack of ticket sales. The Dec. 17 Florida Symphony event with cellist Alisa Weilerstein remains on the schedule, and a pops concert has been added for Dec. 9 featuring singer-guitarist Jose Feliciano. That leaves the Concert Association's Broward schedule with just five classical concerts and three pops programs.
The Concert Association's Miami series at the Arsht Center for the Performing Arts is unaffected, Milano said.
Milano said the response to the Florida Symphony concerts was not enthusiastic by longtime subscribers.
The association also announced that concerts by the National Philharmonic of Russia and the Czech Symphony would take place at Fort Lauderdale's Parker Playhouse.
Concert Association representatives did not indicate whether refunds would be made available to subscribers who already purchased tickets for the canceled events. Call 305-808-7446 (ext. 230).
