City Opera Musicians Sound Off in the Street

The sound of protest could be heard on the sidewalk outside Lincoln Center- but not the way you would expect. The New York Times reported that members of the City Opera’s orchestra performed on the street in a fight to keep the opera in its Lincoln Center home. 

Protesters held signs opposing the opera’s move, while the familiar melodies of tunes from “Carmen,” “Aida,” and “La Boheme” rang out in the background. Earlier this week, orchestra members leafleted a concert at the Winter Garden of the World Financial Center, and are also using Facebook, Twitter, and their own Web site to rally their cause.

George Steel, the City Opera’s general manager and artistic director, said Lincoln Center’s David H. Koch Center would be too costly to continue housing the struggling company. However, musicians said that their collective bargaining agreement requires their consent to perform anywhere outside of Lincoln Center or City Center. Just two weeks ago, the American Guild of Musical Artists requested a federal court injunction to prevent the City Opera from leaving Lincoln Center, Back Stage reported.

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