Pacific Symphony Reports Big Attendance Jump

IRVINE — Attendance for the Pacific Symphony’s recently completed five-concert summer series rose to an all-time high of 44,582, an increase of almost 10,000 ticket buyers since the outdoor concerts at Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre began in 1988.

Income from the 1992 series rose to $686,778 from $618,769 last year. Executive director Louis G. Spisto estimates that profit from the performances will be about $20,000. Attendance was up about 10% over last year.

During the first two years, the series lost money, even though attendance rose about 7% to 37,282 in 1989.

The orchestra turned the corner in 1990, making about $40,000, with 42,984 people streaming through the gates. But attendance dropped a year later, and the profit declined to $25,000.

Spisto said Wednesday that about 50% of the audience is new each year and that “probably about 10% crosses over” to the orchestra’s indoor subscription series at the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa.