SF Symphony Musicians Set to Protest Their Own Show for Tonights Lord of the Rings' Accompaniment

SF Symphony musicians are set to protest their own Thursday night performance of "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers," highlighting ongoing issues related to wage cuts from the COVID-19 pandemic. An unnamed spokesperson for the musicians indicated that nearly the entire orchestra would be outside Davies Hall, distributing leaflets and engaging with concertgoers for an hour before the show. Symphony management has stated that a $12. 5 million deficit makes it impossible to restore musicians' full wages, despite claims that management salaries have returned to pre-pandemic levels. The concert is still listed as taking place, and no formal labor stoppage has been declared.

The protest follows a tumultuous year for the SF Symphony, including the resignation of conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen and a previous strike by the SF Symphony Chorus. The musicians argue that their situation remains unresolved while management has benefitted from restored pay. The evening's performance is reported as "sold-out," though available tickets are still being listed at high prices. Negotiations between the musicians' union and management are scheduled to resume on Sunday, possibly influencing future decisions.