Around the country, orchestras have been struggling for the last five years because of plunging donations, deficit-riddled budgets, musician strikes and a dearth of managers.

The orchestra struggled at times through the thickly scored work, but Mr. Nygaard's unflagging intensity kept them going.

"But when the orchestra is struggling for its existence with a million-dollar gap, everyone says, let's cut the orchestra size down."

Some of the solo singing was strong (particularly Karen Holvik's soprano), but the orchestra and chorus struggled merely to stay together and on pitch.

Like many arts institutions, this respected orchestra has been struggling financially in the wake of the recession and the war on terrorism.

Early on, the orchestra struggled in the final stages of transition to new executive leadership, Marier having returned to medical practice two years earlier.

A sadder, more sober orchestra is now recovering from its near-collapse and struggling toward a new unity.

The orchestra has struggled back from the brink of bankruptcy in the last three years.

As a result many orchestras and opera houses struggle to fill halls.

These orchestras struggled under the instability prevailing during the years of the Argentine Confederation, however, and their performances were only sporadic.