THE Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra is to get a life-saving cash boost on condition that unsold concert tickets are given away.
The "no more empty seats" order follows an increase of £635,000 from Liverpool council, rising immediately from £165,000 to £800,000 a year.
Council chiefs who want to guarantee the long term future of the orchestra as Liverpool bids to be European Capital of Culture in 2008, are also eager to pre-empt any charges of elitism from opposition groups.
The Phil has been told to give tickets away, especially to the young, if they remain unsold the day before a concert.
The orchestra has also been asked to give two free concerts for Liverpool residents each season.
Audiences will be selected by the council from those who could not afford tickets or would not normally attend concerts.
The huge council increase will allow the Philharmonic to apply for a further £1.5m of recovery funds from the Arts Council, as part of a two-year plan to avoid economic wipe-out.
The Arts Council has already given £5.4m to pay off historic Phil debts of more than £3m.
Council leader Mike Storey said: "We are much more confident now that the Phil will attract huge new audiences."
Conductor Gerard Schwarz said: "The award enables us to continue to build our reputation as one o f the world's great orchestras."
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