RADIO TELEFÍS ÉIREANNOperational ReviewRTÉ Performing GroupsProgrammingIn 2007, the RTÉ Performing Groups (PGs)presented 233 live concerts and events toalmost 170,000 concert goers. For the RTÉNational Symphony Orchestra (RTÉ NSO)highlights included: conclusion of its MahlerSymphony cycle; a week-long residencyin County Clare where the orchestraperformed to 4,500 people; the SymphonySessions on RTÉ One Television whichrecorded six figure audiences throughoutthe four-week series.The RTÉ Concert Orchestra (RTÉ CO), withnewly appointed Principal Conductor DavidBrophy, enjoyed a year of high quality, mostnotably with Ute Lemper, Altan, EmmaKirkby, Haley Westenra and Tito Beltran.At Christmas some 4,500 people attendedground-breaking presentations of TheWizard of Oz. The RTÉ CO also appearedseveral times in Northern Ireland andcontinued its highly-successful relationshipwith Opera Ireland.The RTÉ Vanbrugh Quartet enjoyeda successful 21st anniversary seasonshowcasing new commissions by Irishcomposers. The RTÉ Philharmonic Choirscored particular successes with Mahler’s8th Symphony, Orff’s Carmina Buranaand Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius. RTÉCor na nÓg made exceptionally strongimpressions during its performances to theEBU Radio Assembly at Dublin Castle andin Orff’s Carmina Burana.The RTÉ Living Music Festival featuredthe music of perhaps the most successfulliving American composer, John Adams.Overall the PGs premiered a total of nineRTÉ commissioned works by Kevin Volans,Kevin O’Connell and Ben Dwyer, RonanGuilfoyle, Seoirse Bodley, Deirdre Gribbin,Ed Neumeister, Greg Felton and MichaelMcGlynn.OperationalPGs website, within RTÉ.ie, has beenre-designed. Noise-management initiativeswere developed, an important considerationfor orchestra members; and a system(OPAS) which will result in more efficientplanning and scheduling of the orchestras isbeing fully implemented.Commercial RevenueDue to strong programming, supportedby effective PR and marketing, box-officeticket sales performed ahead of budgetin 2007. Concerts promoted by the PGsdirectly achieved significant growth,in both ticket sales and attendances.The continuation of Anglo-Irish Bank’ssponsorship of the RTÉ NSO was awelcome development. However, neitherthe RTÉ Farmleigh Proms, in associationwith the Office of Public Works, nor theweek-long ballet residency (affectedby the closure of the Point Theatre forrefurbishment) took place. As a resultattendances at events involving third-partyassociations were noticeably down on the2006 figures which adversely affectedoverall revenue performance againstbudget, although it was still ahead of2006 levels.Outlook for 2008The outlook for 2008 is again positivemusically but there are significantchallenges ahead for the new ExecutiveDirector, Seamus Crimmins, and his teamto drive revenue, control costs and extendreach throughout the country and throughdifferent media platforms including Online. Gerhard Markson, Principal Conductor ofthe RTÉ NSO, at Mahler SymphonyNo. 8 Symphony of a Thousand,National Basketball Arena, Tallaght,Co. Dublin.Fergus O’Carroll, French Horn player, RTÉNational Symphony Orchestra, St Flannan’sCollege workshop in Ennis, as part of Clareresidency.* While Performing Groups own promoted concerts achieved growth in bothticket sales and attendances in 2007, performances and attendances throughthird party associations were noticeably down on 2006 figures. This wasdue in large measure to the fact that RTÉ Farmleigh Proms (with OPW) didnot take place, nor did our week-long ballet residency because of the PointTheatre refurbishment.24
ANNUAL REPORT & GROUP FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2007The RTÉ Concert Orchestra entertainedsome 4,500 people who attendedground-breaking presentations ofThe Wizard of Oz, conducted andarranged by John Wilson, in The Helixat DCU during December.25
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