In Friday’s (7/1) New York Times, Daniel J. Wakin writes, “A brass quintet from New York City Opera’s orchestra played tunes from ‘Carmen,’ ‘Aida’ and ‘La Bohème’ on the sidewalk in front of Lincoln Center Plaza on Thursday. A sanitation truck driver honked in solidarity. Protesters held signs denouncing the company’s leader and demanding that he not move City Opera from the cultural complex. … The artists were adding their voices to the calls of many others in the music world, including Julius Rudel, the company’s former general director and principal conductor, to keep City Opera at Lincoln Center. George Steel, the company’s general manager and artistic director, has announced the financially ailing company would leave the David H. Koch Theater, which he said costs too much. Underneath the seemingly jovial protest to the move was a serious subtext: the musicians say their collective bargaining agreement requires orchestra consent for any performances outside of Lincoln Center or City Center, the company’s former home. Gail Kruvand, the chairwoman of the orchestra’s negotiating committee, was asked if the demonstration’s no-move message was effectively a denial of consent. ‘One could draw that conclusion,’ she said, adding that Mr. Steel has yet to discuss the move with the committee.”
Posted July 1, 2011
