Tuesday, August 26, 2003

By Caroline Abels and Ann Rodgers-Melnick, Post-Gazette Staff Writers

The Vatican has invited the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra to play a concert for the pope on Jan. 17, 2004, in Rome.

The concert, one of a number that have taken place at the Vatican, will honor Pope John Paul II's involvement in interfaith relations, said the Rev. Ronald Lengwin, spokesman for the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh.

John Paul has worked to mend relationships between various faiths and to bring religious leaders together on matters of ethics and human rights even while they differ profoundly in theology. In 1986, he became the first pope since the Apostle Peter to visit a synagogue, and in 2001 became the first pope to make an official papal visit to a mosque.

Lengwin said financial details related to the concert still have to be worked out, and he didn't know the cost. Thomas Todd, PSO president, who is accompanying the PSO on tour in Europe, would not comment.

Meanwhile, musicians and management have asked James Wilkinson, a former board member, to act as a facilitator between both sides during contract negotiations. The musicians' contract expires Sept. 21. Wilkinson, a lawyer, represented PSO management in musician negotiations between 1978 and 2001.

Yesterday, Zachary Smith, a horn player and spokesman for the musicians, said management in July asked seven musicians who were at least 60 years old and with at least 30 years of experience to accept an early retirement package.

The deadline for the musicians to decide was Aug. 13, but it does not appear that any of them has taken the offer, which was not based on merit. Smith said the union would insist that any opening be filled by a full-time employee.

Post-Gazette classical music critic Andrew Druckenbrod contributed to this report.

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