TSO Announces Record Ticket Sales

Master Agreement Ratification with the Musicians of the Orchestra,

and the second release on the TSO Live Label.

The Toronto Symphony Orchestra announced today that the 2007/2008 season achieved record ticket revenues, with house capacity averaging over 88% - both single tickets and subscriptions showing significant increases over the course of the past ten months. Sales broke the $9 million mark, with the TSO completing the 2007/2008 season with just over $9.2 million in sales. The TSO performed for over 238,000 people during the year, an increase of over 10,000 tickets over the 2006/2007 season, and subscriptions to the orchestra increased by over 10% to 27,500 subscribers. The increases in subscriptions came largely from new patrons - over 80% of the subscription increase came from people who were not previously TSO customers. The 2007/2008 season will be the sixth consecutive season in which earned revenue has increased year-over-year, up from $5.5 million in ticket revenues in 2001/2002.

"Not only were our most popular shows sold out with over 40% of TSO performances playing to houses 95% or better, but also, our more demanding festivals showed strong results," said Mike Forrester, VP Marketing & Business Development. "The audience is responding to Peter's leadership of the Orchestra, and to his concept of thematic programming woven throughout the season. His connection to the public is remarkably strong, to the point where even shows comprised entirely of new or unfamiliar orchestral music, play to capacity. A sold-out New Creations Festival is the most obvious example, but many of our other shows have new and challenging work - and our patrons have come to trust the musical journey Peter prepares for them on any given night."

In addition to its public performances at Roy Thomson Hall, the George Weston Recital Hall, and critically acclaimed concerts in Ottawa and Detroit, the Orchestra also performed for over 70,000 students at Roy Thomson Hall over the course of the season, continuing its commitment to education with curriculum-based concerts. Additionally, the Orchestra also toured to Sarnia and North Bay, with both public concerts and education programs in those cities. A further 40,000 students benefited from education programs in the GTA and throughout Ontario.

The TSO also announced the release of its second disc on the TSO Live label, featuring Anton Bruckner's 4th Symphony, recorded live over two performances in November 2007. Music Director Peter Oundjian commented, "When we sat down and listened to the raw recording, we were absolutely thrilled with the quality of our Orchestra's performances. I am delighted that our audience will now have yet another piece of our musical efforts to enjoy time and time again, and Bruckner's 4th Symphony, to my mind, is his most accessible and engaging work."

The TSO plans several more releases over the course of the year, with music of Mahler and Shostakovich to be released over the next several months.

For further information, contact: TSO, Mike Forrester, Vice President, Marketing & Business Development, 416.593.7769 x 341 mforrester@tso.ca