After a string of shows were cancelled over the last two weeks, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra musicians will soon be back on the stage.
Daily Hive received word from Audrey Patterson, president of the Vancouver Musiciansā Association Local 145, American Federation of Musicians (VMA), which represents VSO musicians, that a tentative agreement has been reached with the Vancouver Symphony Society.
The tentative agreement, reached in principle, means that musicians will be able to return to the stage this week.
The VSO is celebrating the news and has issued a statement on its website, saying that it’ll soon return to regularly scheduled programming.
“With this agreement in place, we are delighted to welcome audiences back to the Orpheum with Saint-SaĆ«nsā Third Violin Concerto on Friday, Oct. 10 at 7 p.m. We will also resume our regular concert schedule and a thrilling season of inspiring performances from Friday onwards,” the statement reads.
One of the more notable events that was cancelled, which featured two shows, was the Star Wars: Return of the Jedi in Concert, including a sold-out show.
How did we get to this point? It started after the VMA issued a 72-hour strike notice, the first in the symphony’s 107-year history. VSO musicians were working under an agreement that had expired in July.
āIf Vancouver wants to be a world-class city, it needs world-class institutions. The Vancouver Symphony has been one of those institutions for 107 years, thanks to the dedication and stewardship of its musicians and the Society until now,ā said Patterson after the strike notice was issued.
At the time, in response to the VMA’s concerns, VSO President Angela Elster expressed disappointment.
“We do not believe that the Unionās actions, including an aggressive public campaign, will assist in finding a resolution when management is still at the table, but we respect their right to strike if they so choose,ā Elster said.
According to both the VMA and VSO, the tentative agreement reached was facilitated with the assistance of a mediator.