MusicFest Vancouver says it's suspending next year's festival

by Charlie Smith on November 20th, 2012 at 9:51 AM

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MusicFest Vancouver has announced that it is "suspending" its 2013 festival because it "has run into some financial difficulties".

“We are very proud of our 12 years of tremendous classical, jazz, and world music experiences each August and throughout B.C.” Morris Biddle, president of MusicFest Vancouver, said in a news release. “However, in common with many arts organizations, we have experienced reductions in all sources of revenue to the extent that we cannot meet our current financial obligations, and we as an organization must examine all possible solutions and outcomes going forward.”

The Vancouver Summer Festival Society—which puts on the annual smorgasbord of events—has not sought court protection from its creditors.

Over the past 12 years, the festival has paid more than $2 million to B.C. artists and presented more than 650 free and ticketed events, according to the news release.

MusicFest encourages anyone willing to help to make a charitable donation here.

Earlier this year, former CBC staffer Matthew Baird took over as artistic director after the long-time head, George Laverock, retired.

The 2012 lineup included Pink Martini, a 150th-birthday celebration of Claude Debussy featuring pianists Philippe Cassard and Francois Chaplin, and an opening gala highlighting the music and songs of George and Ira Gershwin.

The previous year, Sarah McLachlan performed with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. You can read Jessica Werb's Georgia Straight review here.

Follow Charlie Smith on Twitter at twitter.com/csmithstraight.