No new merger orchestras, no merger Reisopera and Opera Zuid

Bussemaker invests eighteen million in the arts and a symphony orchestra for pop and jazz added. It seems too beautiful to be true. And so it is. Because in return for that one extra orchestra, two other orchestras will be cut. At least, that's how the minister's letter can easily be read. That's how I read it too, at least. After all, our country currently has nine symphony orchestras in the basic cultural infrastructure. But that seems set to change. After all, Bussemaker writes:

"The basic infrastructure provides in the period 2017-2020 space for seven symphony orchestras."

Then for a moment you think: so two are going out. But Bussemaker distinguishes between symphony orchestras and specialist orchestras for ballet and opera accompaniment:

"The basic infrastructure provides space for 1 symphony orchestra with accompanying activities for dance and 1 symphony orchestra with accompanying activities primarily for opera in the period 2017-2020."

These are The Ballet Orchestra and the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra, respectively. Notable here is the advice that Bussemaker does not adopt. Where the Council advised to place the supervision of Nederlands Dans Theater with the Residentieorkest, the minister states:

"I am not taking this opinion on board: The Ballet Orchestra has chosen a sharp, distinctive profile and focuses on a specialism: accompanying dance companies. In addition, institutions can make their own arrangements for accompaniment by other orchestras."

Seven, nine, ten?

Where the minister writes that the BIS has room for seven orchestras, it should really have read:

"The basic infrastructure provides in the period 2017-2020 space for 10 orchestras."

Seven 'regular' ones, one primary for The National Opera, one for ballet accompaniment and the Metropole for pop and jazz. So good news for the orchestras that everyone has known for years will have to merge sooner or later: HET Symfonieorkest van Overijssel and the Gelders Orkest on the one hand, and the Hague Residentie Orkest and the Rotterdam Philharmonic on the other. From the minister, despite disappointing results, or even impending bankruptcies (Overijssel) just continue independently.

Or is it? Because the financial problems are piling up and it is no secret that seven orchestras for the whole of the Netherlands have been seriously considered since the 1980s, but provincial interests keep putting a stop to it. Extra money for the orchestras will certainly not come with a newcomer. The provinces no longer have culture in their primary remit and have to make cuts. In short: muddle through with less money, that is Bussemaker's motto. And we see that again a little later.

Travelling opera companies

Another advice Bussemaker disregards concerns the two travelling opera companies, the Dutch Reisopera and Opera Zuid. "Seek with local governments additional budget for travelling opera offerings or concentrate the resources for travelling opera with one organisation" advised Council.

The minister feels nothing of the sort:

"I am therefore not in favour of imposed mergers or choosing one of the two institutions in terms of touring opera offerings. I see much more in firmer cooperation between the two touring opera companies and the orchestras accompanying them."

So no merger. But also no extra money, while the council concluded that "the current budget is not sufficient and is too fragmented to shape and develop the travelling opera offer in a sustainable and qualitative way."

Snag

The minister calls this "firmer cooperation" between touring opera companies and orchestras a "solution direction" that "has also been suggested to me in the administrative consultations by the local and provincial administrators concerned."

It is no secret that Overijssel wants to keep her orchestra at all costs. Nor is it any secret that Harm Mannak, director of HET Symfonieorkest is only too happy to take over the Dutch Reisopera. A look at the participant list of the hearing on Bussemaker's letter reveals that both Ank Bijleveld, commissioner of the King in Overijssel, and Harm Mannak will be given speaking time in the process.

Coincidence?

It seems that Bussemaker is only trying to reverse Halbe Zijlstra's cuts in a few places, but otherwise does not dare to make choices. The fact that she is thereby disregarding the advice of the Council for Culture with great regularity on the advice of local and provincial administrators does not inspire much hope for the coming years. But, the Council holds out hope.

Commenting on this article, Daphne Wassink, secretary performing arts at the council, said, "Merger not necessary, but always possible."

It won't stop for now.