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San Francisco Opera Reaches Tentative Deal With Orchestra
Confirmed
In Short: San Francisco Opera and the San Francisco Opera Orchestra have reached a tentative agreement on a new four-year contract, ending a weeklong strike.
San Francisco Opera and the San Francisco Opera Orchestra, represented by the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) Local 6, have reached a tentative agreement on a new four-year contract, it was announced on 17 September 2026.
Gabe Young, associate principal oboist and chair of the Orchestra Negotiating Committee, said the deal gives the musicians much-needed stability after a difficult period and thanked Mayor Lurie’s team for brokering the agreement.
The San Francisco Opera’s 104th season now opens on Tuesday 22 September with Verdi’s Simon Boccanegra, in Claus Guth’s Hamburg State Opera production, staged for San Francisco by revival director Katherine M.
Thea Musgrave’s Mary, Queen of Scots, which had its West Coast premiere in 1979 under the composer’s own baton, opens on Thursday 24 September in a new co-production with English National Opera, directed by Stewart Laing and conducted by Clelia Cafiero.
The San Francisco Opera Chorus, directed by John Keene, appears in both productions.
During the strike, the back and forth between the Opera and Opera Orchestra played out on social media, with the Opera arguing that the contract structure conceived in 1980 needed changes to reflect the current season.
The agreement recognizes the value and artistry of the world-class Orchestra while putting the Opera on a path toward long-term fiscal stability.
Thea Musgrave’s Mary, Queen of Scots, which had its West Coast premiere in 1979 under the composer’s own baton, opens on Thursday 24 September in a new co-production with English National Opera, directed by Stewart Laing and conducted by Clelia Cafiero.
The San Francisco Opera Chorus, directed by John Keene, appears in both productions.
Despite reaching an agreement, the Opera noted that weekend performances will remain canceled, as staging world-class opera performances requires significant rehearsal, preparation, and planning.
What this adds
The strike was announced on Saturday afternoon, prompting the cancellation of the Opera's 104th season opening night and many other performances.
Those with tickets can choose their options by visiting the Opera’s website or contacting the box office at (415) 864-3330.
Background
San Francisco Opera and its orchestra reached a tentative agreement after a week of negotiations, ending a strike that canceled several performances.
What's confirmed
- San Francisco Opera and the San Francisco Opera Orchestra, represented by the American Federation of Musicians (AFM) Local 6, have reached a tentative agreement on a new four-year contract, it was announced on 17 September 2026.
- Thea Musgrave’s Mary, Queen of Scots – which had its West Coast premiere in 1979 under the composer’s own baton – opens on Thursday 24 September in a new co-production with English National Opera, directed by Stewart Laing and conducted, in her company debut, by Clelia Cafiero.
- In the news release, SF Opera General Director Matthew Shilvock said the agreement was "fair" for the musicians.
- The San Francisco Opera Orchestra has ended its strike after reaching a tentative deal for a new contract with management.
- “We are heartened to have reached a tentative deal that provides a fair contract and stability for the members of the orchestra,” Young said in a statement.
- “We look forward to working together to build on the progress being made at San Francisco Opera, and we cannot wait to return to the pit to begin this new season and perform once again for the company we love,” he said.
- “I am deeply grateful that we have reached a tentative agreement on a new contract — one that addresses important structural changes while providing a fair agreement for our Musicians," Shilvock said in a statement.
What's still developing
- He was a regular columnist for Opera Now magazine and wrote for the BBC until transferring to Italy.
- Reached after a week of intensive negotiations, the deal runs from 1 August 2026 to 31 July 2030 and is still subject to ratification.
- “We cannot wait to return to the pit,” he said, “and perform once again for the company we love.” Mayor Lurie linked the resolution to the city’s broader health, noting that the Opera House draws visitors to Hayes Valley’s small businesses and brings people together through music, and thanked both the Local 6 musicians and Shilvock’s leadership team for their commitment throughout.
- SAN FRANCISCO - San Francisco Opera and the San Francisco Opera Orchestra have reached a tentative deal after nearly a week of strike negotiations and the cancellations of some high-profile shows, including last weekend's annual Opera in the Park event.
- The San Francisco Opera is hosting Beethoven 5 & Falla for one night only on Saturday, November 1.
- The San Francisco Opera and its orchestra have reached a tentative agreement after a nearly weeklong labor dispute that saw the delay of its season and the cancellation of a major free event in Golden Gate Park.
- The tentative agreement is set for the time period lasting from August 1, 2026, through July 31, 2030, but would still need to be ratified.
- He thanked Mayor Daniel Lurie for his leadership during this troubling time for the organization, as well as the negotiating committees and mediators who worked on putting this tentative agreement together.
- "Arts and culture are driving San Francisco’s recovery, and the work of the artists and staff at our cultural institutions make that possible," Mayor Lurie said.
- "And as the cost of living rises, we are working to build a city where those artists, workers and families can put down roots." During the strike, the back and forth between the Opera and Opera Orchestra played out on social media.
- In one post, the Opera wrote, "We cannot afford to keep paying one group of employees for time neither worked nor needed." They said it was not fair to their other employees.
- The deal comes almost a week after beginning a strike that forced the cancellation of opening night and multiple performances through Sept.