His efforts in recent years to spark up the festival orchestra were also paying off.

The Festival Orchestra also saw the writing on the wall.

Moreover the quality of the music making from the festival orchestra was often routine, and sometimes simply rough.

Most important, he brought in visiting ensembles and cut back the role of the festival orchestra.

But the hard-working festival orchestra, which played two concerts earlier in the week, no doubt had to enter the picture late.

The festival orchestra rehearsed for three weeks before giving its first public performance, which received glowing reviews.

Marin Alsop, the music director, conducts the festival orchestra in its 31st season.

His enthusiasm inspired a committed performance from the festival orchestra, which has undoubtedly played this symphony almost too often for its own good.

Tomorrow, Peter Bay conducts the festival orchestra to close the season with - what else?

Having to rely on a chorus far inferior to the fine Festival Orchestra probably did not help.