[ANPPOM-L] VPO Update: Bad News

[Carlos Palombini]

On February 13, 2001 violist Ursula Plaichinger became the first
non-harpist woman to win an audition for the Vienna State Opera.  After 
a three year tenure, members of the State Opera Orchestra become members 
of the Vienna Philharmonic.  Ms. Plaichinger should have entered the 
Vienna Philharmonic 14 months ago, but she has still not been made a 
member. She would have been the first non-harpist woman to join the 
Vienna Philharmonic in its 156 year history.

There is an application procedure and vote necessary for entering the
Philharmonic, but it is  merely a formality.  There has never been a
documented case of a member of the State Opera Orchestra being denied
membership in the Philharmonic after the tenure requirement is 
completed.  It is also noteworthy that all of the men who have completed 
the tenure requirement and who entered the orchestra after Ms. 
Plaichinger, have been made members.  She alone has been left out.

Very little information is available that might explain why Ms. 
Plaichinger has not been made a member.  The Vienna Philharmonic offers 
one of the most prestigious and high-paying orchestra jobs in the world. 
  It seems unlikely that Ms. Plaichinger would not have applied for 
membership unless something put her under extreme duress.

Two months ago Ms. Plaichinger took a leave of absence from the 
orchestra and is now living in Amsterdam.  She occasionally returns to 
Vienna to play in various ensembles.

Given that she would have been the first non-harpist woman to enter the
orchestra, the Austrian media should have long since inquired about what 
is going on, but there have been no reports.  It is a difficult story to
research, because the members of the Vienna Philharmonic have been
-strictly- forbidden to speak with the press -- except by special
permission and while they are monitored by the orchestra's officials.

It has now been eight years since the Vienna Philharmonic agreed to open
its doors to women, but they have still not given a single non-harpist
woman membership.  Even if many expected that this sort of thing would
probably happen, it is still very troubling and saddening news.  If 
there are any new developments concerning Ms. Plaichinger's status, I 
will keep you updated as I learn of them.

[You may forward this post.]

William Osborne
100260.243 em compuserve.com
http://www.osborne-conant.org

-- 
carlos palombini
diretor
centro de pesquisa em música contemporânea
universidade federal de minas gerais
cpmc-ufmg
<palombini em terra.com.br>