Paris (AFP)
The Paris Opera orchestra, on strike for a month and a half, offered a concert on Saturday on the steps of the Palais Garnier, with representatives of several trades, against the pension reform.
In front of a dense crowd of Parisians, tourists, but also striking teachers, the orchestra and the choir of the Paris Opera interpreted an extract from "Troyens", Berlioz's opera which traditionally accompanies the annual Ballet parade of the Opera.
Also on the program: "Le Trouvère" by Verdi or "Carmen" by Bizet, before ending with "La Marseillaise", under jets of confetti, loud applause or "long live the strike!" launched by spectators.
For José Sciuto, one of the executives of the Opera's decoration workshop, it is a question of asking "the withdrawal of the reform" of pensions. "With actions of this type, open to the public, we believe that our demands, our voice will be heard," he explained.
Representatives of various trades of the Opera marched around the orchestra, against the background of banners "Culture in danger" and "French comedy on strike", cheered by the spectators.
In a month and a half of strike action, 67 shows have been canceled by the Paris Opera, including three performances of the "Barber of Seville" in recent days. A new notice compromises that of Monday.
The Paris Opera is the only cultural institution with the Comédie-Française to benefit from a special regime.
© 2020 AFP