National Orchestra of Belgium musicians protest merger

Musicians from the National Orchestra of Belgium have launched a petition for the preservation of their orchestra, after it was announced that the orchestra would eventually merge with the La Monnaie Orchestra. A petition to show support for its continued existence has so far collected nearly 6,000 signatures.

"As far as we're concerned, the petition may stay online as long as possible," union representative and horn player Anthony Devriendt told brusselnieuws.be. "We do not agree with the plans as they are now.”

The merger is an iniative of deputy prime minister Didier Reynders, who is responsible for the federal cultural institutions. His cabinet is calling for the absorption of the orchestra by Brussels opera house La Monnaie in order to strengthen its programming. Reynders asked Jean-Marie Blanchard, former director of the Grand Théâtre in Geneva, to prepare a report on the future of both orchestras. Blanchard concluded that it would be best to bring the two orchestras together "after years of mutual support and shared artistic innovations."

The merger is expected to lead to the creation of a new orchestra by 2026, mainly for the benefit of La Monnaie which would then have a more diverse musical offering.

Protestors fear for job cuts, less focus on the Brussels region and a loss of identity for the orchestra.