The contract of Marco Parisotto, the Canadian musical director of the Jalisco Philharmonic Orchestra (JPO), has not been renewed, the state Culture Department (Secretaria de Cultura) announced in a press release prior to the Christmas holiday.
Parisotto has been in charge of the orchestra since his appointment in January 2014. His contract expired on December 5, the release said.
The Culture Department recognized the “artistic quality, effort and vision” that Parisotto’s leadership has brought to the JPO. However, the missive noted that the recently installed state administration is seeking a “new direction” for the orchestra that will “strengthen its role in our state.”
Parisotto’s tenure at the helm of the orchestra has not been without controversy. A major labor dispute flared up after he decided to pension off some of orchestra’s long-serving musicians. Many people also took umbrage after reports revealed that his salary, around $US12,000 a month, was higher than that of the state governor.