English National Opera choir reaches deal, calls off strike
LONDON – The English National Opera will not fall silent, after choristers agreed to a new pay deal and called off a planned strike.
The choir had planned to stop singing during Friday’s performance of Philip Glass’s “Akhnaten” to protest job losses and pay cuts.
The cash-strapped opera wants choristers’ contracts to cover only nine months of the year, with a summer break when there are no performances of new work.
Performers’ union Equity said choristers had “reluctantly” agreed to the deal, which means a cut in their guaranteed pay and a reduction from 44 choir members to 40.
Opera chief executive Cressida Pollock said she was “delighted that we have been able to reach a deal with Equity.”
The opera has seen its government funding sharply cut in recent years.
News from © The Associated Press, . All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Join the Conversation!
Want to share your thoughts, add context, or connect with others in your community? Create a free account to comment on stories, ask questions, and join meaningful discussions on our new site.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.