Press Release: MN Opera Orchestra Votes Unanimously to Authorize Strike
Saint Paul, Minn. – The Musicians of the Minnesota Opera Orchestra, a professional orchestra which has served the Minnesota Opera for 60 years, today announces that the players have unanimously voted to authorize a strike.
The musicians, members of the American Federation of Musicians, Local 30-73, have been working without a contract for over six months. Unfortunately, despite the Musicians’ best efforts and multiple requests, management has withheld financial information required for transparency and appropriate negotiations.
“It is our hope that management finally acknowledges the seriousness of the issues we have raised. The President and management owe our community world-class productions, including a world-class orchestra, and a clear vision for the future of the Minnesota Opera. We’re prepared to meet with management soon.”
Outstanding issues include:
Management has cut Musicians’ work by over 40%.
Musicians have received absolutely no indication from management that our next 4-year contract will guarantee our work together as an orchestra or that we may expect a continuation of past stewardship of the orchestra as a valued asset of the MN Opera.
The stated position of management is that there is “no interest” in a service guarantee going forward or even a contractual assurance to the musicians for the future.
Management’s unwillingness to share a strategic plan/detailed company vision and all financial information about the Minnesota Opera.
A declining reputation of the MN Opera as a world-class opera company unable survive the degradation of its orchestra, the very bedrock of that reputation for the past 60 years.
The retention of union-busting national attorneys, that have also represented Starbucks, to handle the first grievance the orchestra has had in 30 years.
The next production of MN Opera opens February 4th. Rehearsals are underway.
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About the Musicians of the MN Opera
The Minnesota Opera Orchestra is an internationally recognized ensemble of 46 core musicians which regularly expands with extra players and has served the Minnesota Opera for 60 years. The orchestra performs as part of Minnesota Opera at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts in Saint Paul, Minnesota (historically 5 mainstage productions per season from September-May). The musicians of the Minnesota Opera Orchestra are members of the American Federation of Musicians, Local 30-73 and the orchestra normally plays under a 4-year union contract.
The MN Opera Orchestra functions as a highly collaborative ensemble working closely with artistic teams in the creation of new works. The orchestra workshopped and performed the world premiere of Silent Night by composer Kevin Puts and librettist Mark Campbell,(commissioned by Minnesota Opera) which went on to receive the 2012 Pulitzer Prize for Music. The orchestra is featured on the commercial recording of Silent Night (2021) and on two PBS Great Performance specials, Silent Night (2011) and Doubt (2019), and is regularly heard in broadcasts of the Minnesota Opera on Minnesota Public Radio. Other world premieres include: The Shining by Paul Moravec, The Manchurian Candidate by Kevin Puts and the regional premiere of Dead Man Walking by Jake Hegge. The orchestra has most recently collaborated with composer Paola Prestini and librettist Mark Campbell, workshopping their opera Edward Tulane, based on Minnesota writer Kate DiCamillo’s story, and performing and recording the opera’s world premiere at the Ordway October 8-16, 2022.
The Minnesota Opera orchestra has developed a breadth of repertoire including: Mozart, Verdi, Donizetti, Rossini, Gounod, Bizet, Delibes, Massenet, Puccini, Dvorak, Mascagni, Wagner, Strauss, as well as championing new works. The orchestra has consistently received excellent reviews and has been appreciated by audiences and composers who have written for the orchestra. In 2019, the orchestra was featured on stage in a uniquely staged production of Richard Strauss’ Elektra. During the spring of 2020, musicians created online content seen by audiences throughout the world.
The members of the Minnesota Opera Orchestra teach students of all ages and serve on the faculties of local colleges including the University of Minnesota, Carleton College, Gustavus Adolphus College, the University of St. Thomas, and many others.
CONTACT:
Blois Olson
Fluence Media
651-276-1678 or bolson@fluence-media.com
Fight on! We won when we formed the Core Orchestra and scabs were hired from the University of Minnesota graduate studentsAfter 27 years in this orchestra, I am proud of the excellent performances we have given, even when inadequate conductors were hired!