Orchestra calls strike in mid-concert

Orchestra calls strike in mid-concert

Orchestras

norman lebrecht

February 07, 2024

Musicians of the the Philharmonic Orchestra in Sibiu, Romania, will lay down their instruments for 15 minutes in the middle of tomorrow night’s concert as a signal of their dissatisfaction with the orchestra’s management.

Members of the orchestra have been protesting every day outside the town hall. They complain that they lack proper work agreements and that the manager insists on conducting them.

 

 

Comments

  • Paul Dawson says:

    I’ve not a clue about the rights and wrongs of their case, but this is an interesting form of protest.

    More information would be welcome. Will the protest be between works, between movements or simply breaking up a work mid-performance?

    • Peter Wolfson says:

      The details that you are asking are the right information that the manager wants in order to sabotage this protest. He already done it. Was informed about the precise time for the strike and he adapted the schedule accordingly.

    • John McPules says:

      At the start of the concert, there was a warning strike led by the union leader. The strike lasted for 15 minutes, during which the leader gave a speech. After the strike ended, the musicians returned to their positions and continued with the concert.

  • David A. Boxwell says:

    Next program: Haydn 45 and Schubert 8.

  • Nicholas says:

    Instead of laying down their instruments, why doesn’t the orchestra play John Cages 4’33” for 15 minutes?

    • Fronk says:

      You have hit the nail with the hammer…or is that hammer with the nail ?

      I have just recorded my wife grinding Onions…in E minor accompanied by the late great Benjimino Gigly singing Yeah Yeah Yeah…or was it just 2 Yeah’s…I wouldn’t know as after the First I had de fenestrated.

      I further recommend that one listens…talking of Romania to Romania Romania Romania…yes 3 ! Sung by the Tenor Lebedeff.

      Goodnight

    • Nick says:

      They’d have to play it very slowly! Ha ha!

  • Paul MacLupes says:

    Here is a video with the beggining of the warning strike:

    https://www.facebook.com/share/v/NNUuxwKkaPWqjKxG/?mibextid=WC7FNe

  • DEMITEREA LUPES says:

    A reel published on FB concerning the warning strike realized by the Union of Musicians From Sibiu Philharmonic Orchestra

    https://www.facebook.com/reel/304187316001530?fs=e&mibextid=UalRPS

  • mark (London) says:

    hilarious if was in middle of a symphony…leave out the last movement and walk off stage

  • SibiuFiddler says:

    People need to realize what great sacrifices these musicians are making! Every day, rain or shine, they are present to defend their rights and their colleagues who were unreasonably and unfairly left without a job and forced to take care of their families without an income! Shame on this manager, who doesn’t have the decency or guts to at least talk to the union representatives and make the only decision that is necessary for this chaos to end: RESIGN!! He should have the decency and dignity to resign now! Only the cowards, the weak, incompetents and dictators like Cristian Lupes would allow this situation to continue like this!

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