La Bohème: show must go on

Despite rain and a striking orchestra, the show must go on

ROME – A strike hit the premiere of ‘La Bohème’ at Caracalla but the show went on minus the orchestra.

 Most of the orchestra were members of ‘Sic-Cgil’ (Union of Communication Workers) and ‘Fials-Cisal’ (Italian Autonomous Federation of Performance Workers). The superintendent Carlo Fuortes thus announced that the workers’ right to strike was to be respected, leaving orchestra director Daniele Rustioni no other choice but to start the show accompanied only by a piano.

 Fuortes promised audience members who did not want to stay and watch the piano-only performance a refund, while those who stayed received a 50 percent discount for tickets to the next shows.

 Many did indeed decide to stay and enjoyed the evening, accompanied by pianist Enrica Ruggiero who played the entire score alone.