Surprise Symphony

In Orlando, Fla. (pop. 52,367), in a region more noted for sun tans and beauty contests, a fine, full-fledged symphony orchestra topped off its third season last week. Under the direction of Paris-born Yves (pronounced Eve) Chardon, 51, and with a glamorous assist from Metropolitan Opera Soprano Bidu Sayao, the Florida Symphony Orchestra gave a program with a polish and finesse which a more experienced orchestra might envy.

The Florida's string sections had strength and clarity, its winds played with ease and flexibility. The full 75-piece orchestra could build to a battering climax and--often a lot more difficult--hush to a whispering pianissimo. The program was conventional, except for one of Brazilian Composer Villa-Lobos' torrid Bachianas Brasileiras. But the playing was of the caliber that makes such big-name performers as Helen Traubel, Yehudi Menuhin and Artur Rubinstein, recent soloists with the Florida, glad to return for more.

Orlando first heard Conductor Chardon in the spring of 1950, when he came to town to lead a test concert with local amateurs. It was such a success that the music-loving citizenry decided to found an all-professional orchestra. They set a budget of $30,000 for the first season (1950-51); the bills mounted to $50,000. A large, timely gift helped them over that hump. Then a core of determined symphony enthusiasts set out to broaden the list of contributors.

Gift Shop Proprietor Joy Hawley, who had experience with direct-mail advertising, wrote personal letters to hundreds of residents of Orlando and nearby Winter Park. She and her gift-shop partner, Helen Ryan, decided to call anyone who gave $5,000 or more an angel. A benefactor gives $1,000, a patron $500, and so on to associate members, who give $5. Last year the letters brought in $37,000 toward this season's budget of $104,000.

Conductor Chardon, a onetime associate conductor of the Minneapolis Symphony, under Dimitri Mitropoulos, now has a fully professional ensemble for his three-month season. Orlando, the only U.S. city under 100,000 to support such an expensive orchestra, is pleased as punch with his results. It hopes to double its budget soon, and confidently expects that, before too long, its orchestra will rank among the best dozen or so in the U.S.

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