Philadelphia Orchestra, Philly Pops Split
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - The latest development with the Philadelphia Orchestra's bankruptcy (see related story) is a split with Peter Nero and the Philly Pops, ending their six-year partnership.
In 2005, the Philadelphia Orchestra joined forces with Peter Nero and the Philly Pops to streamline some of their operations.
But it had not been a harmonious relationship (see related story). The Pops have said the Orchestra's advertising and marketing funds had not been enough to promote their concerts, thus hurting attendance.
Larry McMichael, the lawyer representing the orchestra, says the agreement to split was mutual, "It's fair to say that all of us agree that the combination didn't work so well. People go into things like marriages with great intentions and they don't always work out and this is an amicable separation."
McMichael says the move helps them in the long-run financially and gives the Pops a chance to get their 2011-2012 season started, which had been in jeopardy.
Peter Nero's lawyer, Paul Rosen, says Nero is thrilled and the Pops will get their season going in December at the Kimmel Center.
The orchestra will give the Pops some organizational support along with $1.25 million going towards Pops operations until June.
Reported by Tim Jimenez, KYW Newsradio 1060
