The letter accuses orchestra leaders of manipulating financial results “in a deliberate deception of the public.” In addition to calling for the resignations, the letter urges the board to immediately end the lockout and resume contract negotiations.

“Several independent sources have called on the city to find the association in breach and to retake control of the hall, which Minneapolis owns by virtue of sponsoring a $14 million state bonding request for a recently completed renovation.”

“The orchestra recorded a surplus of about $280,000 on total revenue of $9.5 million. The extra money will reduce to $512,000 an accumulated deficit that the SPCO hopes to eliminate in the next few years.”

“The first face-to-face talks since January … ended abruptly Monday after management rejected pay proposals put forward by locked-out musicians. Management then announced it would cancel two November concerts by the orchestra at Carnegie Hall. Music Director Osmo Vänskä has told the board that scratching the New York concerts would force him to resign.”