Thugs, mugs, and mouthpieces

The P-I's Campbell suggested in his story that other orchestra members perhaps suffered "envy of Cerminaro's public acclaim." The Times's Melinda Bargreen used the term "malcontents" in connection with the anti-Schwarz players. Her story also relied heavily on quotes from cellist Bruce Bailey, known for being in the pro-Schwarz camp, who wove a tale of angry musicians who, after losing the battle over Schwarz's contract renewal, "stepped over the line, into sabotage and physical acts."

Bargreen and her editor didn't return calls for comment. The players' P.R. committee is seeking meetings with the editors at both papers.

Illustration by Brian Cook

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• Gerard Schwarz
• John Cerminaro
• Michael Iaria
• Classical Music
• Vandalism

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"The damage these articles have done is almost inestimable," says Scott Wilson, former head of the orchestra's players' union. "It's impugned the professionalism and basic decency of a large group of people."

He said he hopes both writers have been "chastised for printing scurrilous, unprovable, unproven stuff. Didn't Dan Rather resign over this?" (Actually it was his producer who got canned.)

"I can't imagine the concertgoers are happy about it," said cellist Gray. "I know the donors are not. They're very distressed about all this."

The symphony posted a deficit this year and just finished its big year-end fund-raising push as it attempts to build its endowment. "Anything that reflects negatively on the institution inevitably has an impact on donors," said SSO P.R. manager Eagan.

The listening public, however, appears to be largely undisturbed. The symphony racked up its best December in history, Eagan said, setting records for single-day ticket sales.

mfefer@seattleweekly.com