Attendance figures for the 2010 classical season at Saratoga Performing Arts Center presented by HSBC Bank, USA N.A. include a 21 percent rise in attendance and a 15 percent increase in ticket income for The Philadelphia Orchestra, reported Marcia J. White, SPAC's President & Executive Director.
"We are extremely grateful to our audiences who turned out in force for our orchestra season, despite the difficult economy. These fans came to enjoy an extraordinarily diverse program of classical masterpieces, superstar virtuosos, pops favorites and our first-ever 'cirque' performance. Their energy and enthusiasm contributed to the enjoyment of each performance and was the best possible parting gift for our beloved Maestro Dutoit," said White. "The wonderful weather was also a great benefit; our lawn was festive with picnickers and families, night after night. It was the place everyone wanted to be."
White also reported that the Saratoga Chamber Music Festival experienced an 11 percent increase in average per performance attendance. With six performances this year - two fewer than last year - actual overall attendance was 16 percent lower.
"Our devoted chamber music audiences gave Chantal Juillet a warm farewell by joining her at the Little Theatre for the outstanding series she created for her final SPAC season," said White.
Despite record heat in July, attendance for New York City Ballet remained at the high level it reached during SPAC's 2009 season. Last year, the Ballet's average per performance attendance increased 24 percent in conjunction with the move to a two-week program.
"New York City Ballet presented a gorgeous program at SPAC that included Balanchine's magical A Midsummer Night's Dream, the finest new choreography from the Architecture of Dance festival, and rarely seen gems such as Ulysses Dove's Red Angels. We are pleased that this year's ballet season largely sustained last year's remarkable 24 percent increase in average per performance attendance." said White. "Particularly considering much of the ballet program occurred during a record heat wave here in the northeast."
"Among the major achievements of the season are the innovations we introduced to our programming including the creation of the first-ever 'Battle of the Bands'; the newer artists of our Extended Season/Emerging Artists series including
Jason Samuels Smith's Anybody Can Get It and
Bill T. Jones' groundbreaking multi-media work, Fondly Do We Hope, Fervently Do We Pray. Diversifying our programming and our audiences is essential for SPAC to remain both viable and vibrant in today's arts environment," said White.
"Also moving us in that direction was our 'GE Kids in Free' program which experienced a remarkable 64 percent increase in attendance this year. We are very grateful to GE for their support and strong promotion of 'Kids in Free' which helped make more families aware of the program."
"We are tremendously grateful to all those who helped us enjoy such a strong season, particularly in this challenging economic environment. Yet, as always, it is important to keep these numbers in context; even with a full house, ticket income only covers half the cost of presenting our world-class programs. That is why it is critical that we have a large, supportive community of SPAC members, donors and sponsors."
"Key partners for our 2010 Classical Season include Title Sponsor HSBC Bank, our generous Legacy and Heritage Donors and our sponsors, members, audiences and artists. Our deepest thanks are extended to each and every one of these friends whose contributions made possible, the success of this summer's spectacular classical season," White concluded.
