Breaking: Domingo refuses to sing until Buenos Aires settles musicians strike
mainPlacido Domingo has postponed a concert in Buenos Aires and told the city he will not sing there again until it settles a musicians strike at the Teatro Colon.
The city had apparently tried to recruit musicians out of town to form a pick-up orchestra for the tenor, but Domingo declared solidarity with the strikers and refused to sing.
Spanish tenor Placido Domingo talks during a press conference about his performance scheduled for next 23 March, but not yet confirmed due to a trade dispute between the Estable Orchestra and the Philharmonic Orchestra of the Teatro Colon, the scene of one of the concerts, and the Government of the City of Buenos Aires. photo: EPA/LEO LA VALLE
Report here.
It’s rare to see a legend remembering his humbler colleagues. Good man, Placido.
I wonder who will be the first classical star to boycott the Brazilian Symphony Orchestra over the way it is replacing its tenured musicians with the youth orchestra.
Bravo Placido! Should we be alarmed at stories like this? Thank you, Mr. Lebrecht, for your coverage. I have no doubt more will ensue. Some contact will, and has already, been made with soloists on the OSB roster. We are poised to step that level of contact up depending on how things unfold in Rio. Many, of course, are members of the AFofM. We shall wait and see.
Thanks for these useful updates, sir.
Rob Weir
Bassoonist
San Francisco Symphony Orchestra
Member, AFoM, Local #6, San Francisco, Ca. USA
According to the local newspapers EL CLARÍN and LA NACIÓN, the orchestra musicians agreed to perform with Placido Domingo in an open air concert. I just read that he is singing before 150.000 people by the Obelisk.
Hi Norman:
The crisis at the Brazilian Orchestra continues with the news on Thursday that the judge at a labour court has thrown out the possibility of cancelling the re-evaluations of the whole orchestra. Now the administration is calling for voluntary retirement with a few months of continued health insurance,the “fund” (fundo da guyarantia) plus 40 poer cent is a musician decides to “voluntary” retire.If he or she doesn’t accede to the adminstrration’s wishes,,,,well no fund or benefits are guaranteed.
A few brave souls are still holding out vs. imposed re-evaluation or re-auditions.Petitions,newspaper columns,support from all ofer the world continues to trickle in .
Will any of this help?
Keep tuned….from my experience out here I predict unfortunately that the musicians will lose and the administration begin their auditions The rats from all over will fill the empty spaces and all will be forgotten in six months.
Should musicians abroad take these auditions to replace sacked and forced-out musicians in the Brazilian Symphony?
Does anyone know what it is to be sacked from a musical job after 10-20-30 years of good service?The unemployment lines, the loss of prestige,the cut in one’s budget, the stress at home for the children and wife ….all in the name of “making the best orchestra in the world.”
Wgat us the “best” orchestra–one which plays under tyranny?
Reports falsely claim this is the first time the “OSB” is making auditions abroad for their musicians.
Not true of course,as those of us like myself (1973-1997 first oboe) can tell you.
Maybe this new age of internet action will help but it will be difficult.
Congratulations Juilliard,you trained Maestro Minzcuk in these techniques of improving musically organizations …..only thing youforgot to teach him how to use his heart (if he has one)!
Best,
Harold Emert
Rio de Janeiro,Brazil
Brazilian National Orchestra