The problem was highlighted in a recent press conference in which some musicians said that some players have been told to stay home. Rumor has it that orchestra higher-ups are sidelining musicians because they are unhappy with the quality of their playing.
At a press conference Monday, Jalisco Secretary of Culture Myriam Vachez took pains to congratulate Parisotto for his work on “Carmen,” complimenting his extra time on the opera and his care in “not obscuring the voices of the singers.” And she deflected questions about the discontented musicians, saying she had “talked with everyone in the orchestra and they are all very happy and comfortable” with Parisotto’s work.
But some musicians took issue with Vachez’s sunny characterization of orchestra morale.
"It’s sad what Parisotto is doing to this orchestra. There are people who are resigning, or thinking about resigning, and some of them are younger musicians with kids,” said principal clarinettist Charles Nath, adding that he has been wrongly characterized in some media as an organizer of the discontented musicians. “It’s not an organized group,” he emphasized.
Some see Parisotto’s managerial style as a throwback to the pre-union generation of dictatorial conductors that ended with Toscanini (1867-1957), saying it is not enjoyable to play under Parisotto and that when musicians are treated disrespectfully, it causes them to play badly.
One knowledgeable observer described what is happening under Parisotto as the “new music director syndrome. They have to assert themselves and older players are perfect targets.
“An orchestra is not a democracy and you need a strong leader or the whole thing falls apart. Still, a good conductor will find a way to make players play better by making them feel comfortable, by focusing on their strengths. Nobody can play their best if they’re terrified.”
A musician speculated that players are being squeezed because leaders want to convert the orchestra into an international phenomenon.
“You can improve any orchestra if you have the money. But now, players all have to moonlight in order to survive. Yet the orchestra chauffeur makes more than the musicians,” the musician charged.