Renee Fleming concert: a day later
The ramifications of Tuesday’s Renee Fleming concert continue. The local musicians union called a strike against Fresno Grand Opera hours before the concert began, citing unfair hiring practices and a year-plus effort to reach a new contract with the company. Fleming went on to perform anyway, essentially performing a recital with piano and filling part of her truncated hour-long program with a “talk-show”-style interaction with the audience.
Several audience members I talked to loved the impromptu nature of the event, citing Fleming’s dedication and spontaneity. Others were saddened by the abbreviated nature of the program and the missed opportunity to hear the opera superstar perform with a full orchestra.
Today I reached Larry Gardner, president of Local 12 of the American Federation of Musicians, and asked him for an update. He told me the local remains on strike against Fresno Grand Opera. (He also emphasized that this coming weekend’s pops concert with the Fresno Philharmonic is in no way impacted by Tuesday’s labor action; the Philharmonic is covered by a separate contract.)
Gardner said the Fresno Grand Opera has been placed on the American Federation of Musicians “International Unfair List.” That means union musicians who accept work from the company could be subject to fines and penalties.
A phone call and email to Ronald D. Eichman, general director of the Fresno Grand Opera, were not returned today. When I talked to Eichman Tuesday night, he expressed disappointment that musicians walked away from the negotiating table. “We have a group of people who are choosing not to play, and we’re going to continue to operate as we always do,” he said.
I’ll be continuing to follow this story. Fresno Grand Opera’s “Show Boat” is scheduled to open May 11.
Responses to "Renee Fleming concert: a day later"
Wait, what?
So the same musicians who are “on strike” are suddenly NOT “on strike” when it comes to a different company?
And I’m still quite curious to see if any other union members who keep the Saroyan running chose to join their fellow unionites on their strike. (The answer is clearly not). I would like to hear a quote from the IATSE union as to why they didn’t join another union on a strike action?
I reiterate: this strike was weak, this musicians union is quite weak. I also wonder if ALL the union musicians who were scheduled to play that night joined the strike, or if some crossed the line. Was the pianist union? The voilinist?
Weakest jerkiest strike ever.
I think Renee Fleming was a class act to perform as she did without an orchestra, but I was disappointed at the truncated concert, even though what we heard was great.
I want the musicians to be paid fairly, but this was an embarrassment to Fresno, and Ms Fleming will probably never come back. In this age of economic hardship, some of us made a sacrifice to come hear the concert, and may indeed not take the risk again. Where exactly do the players think they will play if they alienate the star performers and the audience?
When my partner and I approached the Renee Fleming concert and saw the musicians holding picket signs we inquired as to what was going on. Inside, after an extensive search, we could not find anyone from the Fresno Grand Opera to speak with.
We left without seeing and hearing the concert.
When I see in writing today that the Fresno Grand Opera representative states “We will continue as always” it exemplifies the rigidity of the all too many power struggles occuring at this time in our lives. Recently I participated in a “Peace Circle Training”. We practiced “deep listening”. We listened to each other and found so much care and compassion for one another. We are part of each other. Please listen.
By “Weakest jerkiest people ever.”
Stephen, the local musicians union has separate contracts with the Fresno Grand Opera and the Fresno Philharmonic. Many of the players are the same, but completely different contracts and managements.
I know of at least one union musician who crossed the line Tuesday night — and I think there were at least a couple. According to the union, members who cross a picket line are subject to sanctions and penalties.
Regarding the stagehands union: I talked to Saroyan management, who told me that the stagehands are allowed in their contract to honor a picket line, but only if they get approval in writing from their international union. It’s my understanding that the musicians gave so little notice before throwing up their picket line that there wouldn’t have been a chance for the stagehands to get that written notice even if they’d wanted. I’m not sure how this will apply to the next Fresno Grand Opera concert if the musicians are still on strike. It’s something for me to check on.