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Jeff,

The International Conference of Symphony and Opera Musicians (ICSOM) has 52 member groups that comprise the major US symphony and opera orchestras. As I recall, the folks there may have informations answering many of your questions. ICSOM has a regular publication, Senza Sordino, which includes an annual review of member orchestra salaries, season length, and other information. Their website also contains links to all member orchestras.

www.icsom.org

You also might want to check out the site for the American Symphony Orchestra League. This site contains much information from managment's view of things.

www.symphony.org

Scooby Tuba wrote:How do you present opera or ballet without an orchestra?

They'll probably still use an orchestra, but it will not be mounted for extra events. It will just be as needed, and not a standing group. They can then just pay per-service. They could also used canned music or piano, or reduce to chamber size groups with sound reinforcement. A very sad situation. I wish the best to all of those musicians.