With its musicians stood down and an uncertain timeline as to when restrictions put in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic will be eased, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra has begun planning for a return to the concert hall. The orchestra’s future, however, hangs in the balance. “We’re fighting for our survival, we’re not even sure we’ll make it to Christmas,” the MSO’s Managing Director Sophie Galaise tells Limelight.

Sir Andrew Davis conducts the MSO at the 2019 Gala Opening. Photograph © Ivan Kemp

Some four weeks after the MSO gave its final performance in Hamer Hall, to an empty auditorium in a concert live streamed around the world, the MSO stood down 75 musicians and 13 management staff. “MSO has undertaken to administer and pay these employees the JobKeeper allowance of $1,500 per fortnight,” the MSO said in a message to its supporters. “We also engaged with over 250 casual employees to ensure they are also provided the opportunity to receive this payment.”

According to the MSO, of 408 employees, 10 percent remain working with the orchestra – including some musicians working in curatorial roles – and the staff...