San Diego Symphony Folds

Several musicians and audience members wiped away tears at the end of what could be the San Diego Symphony Orchestra’s final concert.

Musicians, who have not been paid since Dec. 29, performed works by Mozart, Debussy, Brahms and Bach to a capacity audience on Saturday night.

The orchestra’s board of directors decided last week to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. Board President Elsie Weston said the symphony owes more than $3 million and has only $22,000 on hand.

Music Director Yoav Talmi refused to bid farewell Saturday, saying there’s still a chance to raise the money.

“We must believe that this orchestra will continue,” he said.

However, orchestra leaders couldn’t raise $2 million last year during a months-long emergency appeal.

After Saturday’s concert, the audience continued to give a standing ovation even after all the musicians had left the stage. Finally, Talmi returned to the empty stage to take a final bow.

It was the 68th season for the orchestra in the nation’s sixth-largest city.

Orchestras in Oakland, New Orleans and Denver have folded over the last 10 years. They all have reemerged in leaner form.