Los Angeles (AFP)
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the legendary Los Angeles open air Hollywood Hollywood Bowl will cancel its traditional summer concert season, a first since its inauguration in 1922.
This cancellation leaves the Los Angeles Philharmonic, which co-manages the site with the county, with a shortfall of $ 80 million.
"We are all heartbroken by the effects of this (health) crisis and we share the disappointment of all those who looked forward to" the opening of the season, said in a statement the CEO of the orchestra, Chad Smith .
This summer season is a flagship cultural event in Los Angeles and has seen a host of stars, like the Beatles, who have selected some of their performances at the Hollywood Bowl to produce a live album.
This year, Andrea Bocelli, Bob Dylan and Diana Ross were among the artists on display at the open-air venue, which opened in 1922 and also hosts film screenings.
This cancellation, made inevitable by measures to fight the pandemic, further weakens the financial situation of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra, which has already had to give up its spring concerts at the Walt Disney Concert Hall.
The organization announced on Wednesday that it will have to lay off some of its employees on technical unemployment, after having already taken measures to reduce wages.
"We are doing what is necessary to ensure that we are all there for the next century," said Chad Smith.
California has recorded nearly 70,000 cases of Covid-19, with more than 2,800 deaths. Los Angeles County alone accounts for about half of the cases and deaths recorded in the state.
© 2020 AFP