Chicago Musicians Join Symphony Picket

Before playing to a sold-out audience Wednesday night, members of the Chicago Symphony joined San Diego Symphony musicians in an “informational” picket outside Symphony Hall.

The Chicago players described San Diego as “the Auschwitz of the symphonic world” in a statement distributed before the concert. The Chicago musicians said: “You are hearing us tonight through the graciousness of the musicians of the San Diego Symphony Orchestra. Without their blessing, we wouldn’t be here.”

The San Diego orchestra was disbanded Jan. 12 by the symphony’s board of directors. The Chicago Symphony, conducted by Georg Solti, appeared under the auspices of the La Jolla Chamber Music Society.