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Computer to replace Les Mis musicians By Jack Malvern, Arts Reporter
HALF the orchestra for Les Misérables is to be replaced with a computer. Sir Cameron Mackintosh will cut 11 members of the 22-strong orchestra when the production transfers to a smaller theatre on March 27.
Despite vehement opposition from its members, the Musicians’ Union conceded yesterday that the Sinfonia machine — also known as a virtual orchestra — was necessary for the production to continue.
The US-made computer, which can simulate 300 instruments, will save Sir Cameron thousands in musicians’ fees each week. After an initial payment of up to £27,000 for the Sinfonia, its weekly running cost is £1,400 compared with £6,644 for 11 musicians. After set-up costs have been met, Sir Cameron could save £270,000 a year. There are no plans to reduce the ticket price.
It is the first time a virtual orchestra has been used in a professional production in Britain.
Cameron Mackintosh Ltd released a statement yesterday stating that it had the agreement of the union for the show’s transfer from the 1,400-seat Palace Theatre to the 990-seat Queen’s Theatre. It said: “The 11 musicians from the Les Misérables orchestra, which is the maximum that can be accommodated in the Queen’s orchestra pit, have accepted and signed contracts to move with this production.”
Horace Trubridge, assistant general secretary of the union, said that the Sinfonia would remove the “beating heart of the production”, but conceded that he could not prevent its use. “What we are trying to negotiate is to ensure the device will be used to replace the minimum number of musicians,” he said. He did not know how he could prevent other productions from following the precedent set by Sir Cameron.
In ten days’ time the union will report back to West End musicians on a meeting with Sir Cameron; the musicians will then decide whether to take industrial action or measures such as urging theatregoers to boycott the show.
Cameron Mackintosh Ltd said any saving in fees would be outweighed by the costs of moving the production and the theatre being smaller.
I like it when people/bands combine the two... when they use the computer as an instrument in it's own right as opposed to just emulating the sound of something else!
Originally posted by Philip:
I like it when people/bands combine the two... when they use the computer as an instrument in it's own right as opposed to just emulating the sound of something else!
yeh same here...
Music is music...a trumpet is a trumpet...a cello is a cello...a computer is a computer
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14-02-2004, 20:04
Computer to replace Les Mis musicians
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