Philadelphia Orchestra cancels 2009 European tour

PHILADELPHIA (AP) - July 29, 2008 Spokeswoman Katherine Blodgett says the reasons for the decision include a lack of sponsorship, the weak dollar and the increased cost of flying.

She also says the orchestra's 2009 tour schedule was unusually heavy, with two extensive international tours scheduled.

In January, music director Christoph Eschenbach and the orchestra will travel to the Canary Islands, Spain, Portugal, Luxembourg, Hungary and Austria. The canceled European tour was slated to begin in August 2009, with stops in Switzerland, France, England and Scotland.

The orchestra returned in June from a three-week tour of Asia. It last toured Europe in 2006.

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