Nice Opera Strike Cancels The Merry Widow, First Shutdown in 15 Years

By Marcus Bennett

Nice Opera House has cancelled a performance of The Merry Widow after artists walked out on strike on Wednesday, 11 November. It is the first show lost to staff industrial action at the venue in more than 15 years.

Around 50 people gathered outside the opera house to support members of the choir, the ballet and the Philharmonic Orchestra. The performers say their salaries rank among the lowest in France.

The strike is scheduled to run on 11, 12 and 13 November. It has already been extended until at least Thursday, 12 November, with further performances potentially affected.

What do the artists earn?

According to trade union representatives, some artists at the house earn as little as €1,600 net per month. That figure is hard to live on in Nice, the unions argue, where housing costs remain high.

Violaine Darmon, concertmaster of the Nice Philharmonic Orchestra and CGT staff representative, described the situation as a social emergency. She warned that low salaries could drive younger musicians and performers to leave, threatening the opera house's ability to maintain its artistic programme.

The unions are demanding:

• a dedicated budget to increase salaries;
• a review of the allowance system for opera house employees.

Staff representatives say they have raised these concerns with management and the city's cultural department for several months. They have yet to receive concrete proposals.

Why was the performance cancelled?

The opera house pulled Wednesday's performance of The Merry Widow one day in advance and offered refunds to ticket holders. The decision divided the parties. Union representatives called the cancellation premature. The City of Nice said it wanted to spare audiences unnecessary journeys.

The strike has also split some employees. Some have voiced concern about the impact on audiences and about the months of preparation that go into each production.

What happens next?

The City of Nice has committed to meeting trade union organisations, but only after staff representative elections scheduled for 10 December. The striking artists say they are ready to negotiate sooner. They will decide whether to continue their action as the situation develops.

What does this change for audiences? Until talks open, further cancellations remain a live possibility at the Riviera's leading opera house.