O.C. Phil is in the black

After falling $756,000 in the red two seasons ago, its biggest budget deficit in memory, the Philharmonic Society of Orange County combined belt-tightening with stepped-up fundraising to rebound fiscally in 2007-08, finishing with a $193,000 surplus.

The organization, which has presented touring performers since the 1950s, spent $4.37 million, a 9% reduction, according to unaudited results it released for the year ending June 30. Donations rose from $1.5 million to $1.95 million as Orange County arts givers got over what executive director Dean Corey labeled a case of “donor fatigue” brought on by the “flurry” of fundraising by performing arts organizations surrounding the September 2006 opening of the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall in Costa Mesa.

Corey said the Philharmonic Society will continue taking a conservative spending approach in the coming season, which opens Friday with pianist Lang Lang and will include the Orange County debut of conductor Gustavo Dudamel, leading the Israel Philharmonic, and a performance by opera star Cecilia Bartoli.

-- Mike Boehm