Paris (AFP)

The historic strike continues on Saturday at the Paris Opera, with the cancellation of the representation of the Barber of Seville, and at Radio France with two shows also canceled due to the movement against pension reform.

"Due to a national strike and interprofessional strike, the performance of the opera Le Barbier de Seville this Saturday, January 11, 2020 is unfortunately canceled," said a spokesman for the Paris Opera on Saturday morning.

The Barber of Seville was to mark the resumption of the season at the Opera. Paralyzed for a month, the three-hundred-year-old institution faces the worst blockage in its recent history.

The Premiere of Rossini's opera, which was to be sold out at the Bastille opera, is the 64th show canceled since the start of the movement. Spectators can exchange their tickets (the next performance of the Barber of Seville is scheduled for Tuesday, January 14) or be reimbursed.

The Opera has already accused 12.3 million euros in ticketing losses since December 5, the first day of strike against pension reform which, in the world of culture, especially concerns the Opera and the Comédie-Française.

The special regime of the Opera, one of the oldest in France, allows you to bow out at 42, taking into account the "arduousness" of the profession, the risks of injury, and the fact that the majority of dancers can hardly continue to dance the great ballets beyond this age with the same level of excellence.

On the side of Radio France, two shows scheduled for Saturday have also been canceled, said public radio: the performance of choral works by Arvo Pärt at the Maison de la Radio and "Generations France Music" at the Alliance française.

A CGT strike notice was voted on until Monday, Radio France thus entering its 40th day of strike against the plan to cut posts wanted by its president Sibyle Veil.

The unions of Radio France had launched a strike movement on November 25 to obtain the withdrawal of this plan which provides for 60 million euros in savings and 299 job cuts (with 76 job creations in parallel).

After a truce for Christmas, the strike had resumed on December 31, at the call of the only CGT, without major disturbances on the antenna of the group, except for the concert of the New Year of France Musique which had to be canceled.

© 2020 AFP