Los Angeles last week faced the biggest problem of U.S. outdoor-summer-symphony boosters: how to use Frank Sinatra, the King of Swoon, to bolster a sagging summer-symphony budget, while holding one's nose and dignity.
In Washington and Cleveland Sinatra appeared on summer programs with only temporary damage to symphonic dignity and considerable benefit to the box office. In Manhattan the Philharmonic hired him and held its nose all for nothing—he scarcely half-filled the bleachers of Lewisohn Stadium
The announcement of Frankie's appearance in the Hollywood Bowl had thrown Los Angeles high-brow music lovers into...
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