Indy.com
Today:
Do you think the ISO music director earns too much, or not enough?
While researching a Q&A on Indianapolis Symphony music director Mario Venzago for The Star's IndySunday section, I learned from public records that the ISO paid him more than $350,000 during the 2005-06 concert season.
Venzago, who lives in Germany, conducted 11 or 12 weekends in Indianapolis that season. Of course, while away Venzago was planning and making artistic decisions that affected the ISO, and studying pieces he would conduct in Indy.
Venzago is not by any means the highest-paid orchestra conductor, and his salary is much smaller than what a lot of sports celebrities make.
Do you think the ISO music director earns too much, or not enough?
I've always been torn about the amount f money that classically trained musicians make. It's really a tough issue and depends on anyone's personally political/economic philosophy--I would have to tentatively say that's a bit much. On the other hand, I've loved the repertoire that Venzago has brought to the Symphony (though more focus on living American composers would be nice).