The Bermuda Philharmonic Society has hit back at criticism over its pulling out of the Jos? Carreras concert.

Concert organiser KH International's managing director Karl Hofer had said he lost a “lot of money” on the event and “his problems began when the Bermuda Philharmonic withdrew from the event”, which was held on June 13.

But yesterday Gerald D. E. Simons, president of the Bermuda Philharmonic Society (BPS) said no formal contractual relationship ever existed between the BPS and KH International.

“Discussions did take place between our music director, Dr. Gary Burgess, and Buddy Hill, the then local representative of KH International, beginning late last summer,” said Mr. Simons.

“The event was scheduled for the keep yard at the Royal Naval Dockyard with an anticipated audience of 3,000.

“Dr. Burgess indicated that the Philharmonic's orchestra could be available to play on the originally proposed date of April 15, 2003. He also requested information on the programme.”

Mr. Simons said the Philharmonic is a community-based orchestra of advanced amateur and professional musicians, that is not normally available for hire.

“In order to play in the Carreras concert, time was needed to plan a rehearsal schedule around our own commitment to perform four programmes during the year,” said Mr. Simons.

“Late in the year, and without consulting the Philharmonic, the organisers changed the date of the concert to April 4, 2003.”

“On January 9, Dr. Burgess informed the organisers in writing that the new date created problems for the Philharmonic because many of our players are teachers in local schools and they had planned holidays abroad on the new proposed date.

“Nevertheless, he indicated that we could bring in players from abroad to augment the orchestra and requested the repertoire so that he could plan rehearsals.

“KH International was unable to provide information on the repertoire or budgetary and organisational details of the concert.

“In light of the lack of information available to us, on January 28, 2003 the Executive Committee informed the organisers that the Philharmonic would not participate in their event.

“Our letter also asked them to discontinue mentioning the Philharmonic in their advertisements as soon as practicable. The organisers, without the Philharmonic's prior knowledge or consent, had launched advertisements mentioning the participation of the Philharmonic in the concert.”

Mr. Simons said that on January 30, Rick Richardson, the new local agent of KH International, issued a press release in which he stated that Walter Lochmann, an Austrian conductor, had been appointed the musical director for the event.

The press release stated that Mr. Lochmann would “assemble a 56-piece orchestra of musicians from both Bermuda and Vienna for the event” and that Dr. Gary Burgess of the Philharmonic would be submitting “the names of the local musicians for possible inclusion in the combined orchestra”.

Dr. Burgess did assist in providing the names of local musicians and advertisements mentioning the new orchestra were run in the local media.

“The concert eventually took place on June 13, before a capacity audience of some 800 at the Fairmont Southampton Princess Resort and a pianist accompanied Mr. Carreras,” said Mr. Simons.

“I leave it to others to determine why the event was not a financial success.

“However, it is clear that had any orchestra accompanied Mr. Carreras, the cost of accommodation, travel and paying the musicians would have resulted in even greater losses.

“To suggest or even hint that the Bermuda Philharmonic Society caused or contributed to the losses does a disservice to an organisation that has enriched the cultural life of this community for over 40 years.”