Sixteen musicians in the Opera Australia Orchestra were informed that they have been made redundant on Friday, while another 13 vacancies will remain unfilled. The company flagged imminent redundancies as well as the sale of its Alexandria warehouse in August, in order to reduce costs after the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out ticket revenue.

Opera Australia musicians protesting redundancies in front of the Sydney Opera House

Redundancies are being made across the company, including chorus and technical staff, with a spokesperson for Opera Australia confirming to Limelight earlier this month that 25 percent of administrative staff were being made redundant.

The Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance, the union representing the OA musicians, has condemned the cuts. “The redundancies will reduce the company to a shell,” Director of MEAA Musicians Paul Davies told Limelight. “We understand the terrifically difficult situation of the company and have offered repeatedly to negotiate an emergency measures agreement with OA to help see them through, as we have done with SSO and MSO.”

“It is extremely troubling that they have rejected this offer and have instead sacked workers essential to the...