The Atlanta Opera and the Atlanta Federation of Musicians Sign New Agreement

The Atlanta Opera and the Atlanta Federation of Musicians announce the signing of a comprehensive three-year agreement for the company's Orchestra. The Opera secures extended time with the orchestra to collaborate and produce music, which is critical as the company recently expanded back to four productions per season. The new collective bargaining agreement runs until June 30, 2019.

General and Artistic Director of the Atlanta Opera, Tomer Zvulun, commented on the growth and need for the long-term agreement: "As the Atlanta Opera continues to expand, the role of the Atlanta Opera Orchestra becomes even more critical to the success of the organization. The orchestra has seen a tremendous improvement in the past few years under the leadership of Maestro Fagen. Our growth from 12 performances in 2013 to 25 performances in 2016 provides the musicians more opportunities to perform, rehearse and overall spend more time making music. Our positive, long standing relationship with the orchestra continues to be a priority and a great source of pride for the Atlanta Opera management and Board of Directors."

Extending the agreement with The Orchestra was a vital piece in The Atlanta Opera's strategic, long-term plan. The Opera's mission is to enrich lives through opera and this agreement will allow even more people to see and hear the art form. The announcement of this agreement coincides with National Opera Week (October 28 - November 6). Hosted by OPERA America, National Opera Week is an effort that aims to raise awareness about opera in our communities.

"This new agreement will allow The Atlanta Opera Orchestra and The Atlanta Opera to continue to flourish together," expressed Maestro Arthur Fagen (Carl & Sally Gable Music Director of The Atlanta Opera). "As we have grown to four mainstage productions per season, this new agreement will allow us to collaborate in new ways and put the highest quality of work in front of Atlanta audiences for years to come."

William Johnston, Principal Violist and Chair of the musicians' Negotiation Committee, commented on the progress of the agreement: "The musicians of The Atlanta Opera Orchestra are very pleased to have reached this agreement with management in a spirit of collaboration. We are proud of the growth the company has experienced over the past few years under Tomer's leadership, and look forward to bringing even greater operatic experiences to our wonderful Atlanta audiences."

The Orchestra will next perform with The Opera in Silent Night, the true story of the historic, spontaneous Christmas truce between French, Scottish and German soldiers during World War I. The Atlanta Opera presents Silent Night on November 5, 8, 11 (Veterans Day), and 13, 2016 at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre. Single tickets are on sale now and can be purchased online at atlantaopera.org or by calling 404-881-8885. The opera will be performed in English, German, French, Italian and Latin with English supertitles.

About the Atlanta Opera

The Atlanta Opera is one of the finest regional opera companies in the nation. In 2013, the company recruited internationally recognized stage director Tomer Zvulun as its General and Artistic Director. In the 2014-2015 season, the company launched the acclaimed Discoveries series of operas staged in alternative theaters around Atlanta. The series was recognized by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution as part of its Best of 2015 awards and the company was nominated for the International Opera Awards in London in 2016. In the 2016-2017 season, the company expanded its main stage season from three to four productions at the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre while ushering the Discoveries series into its 3rd season for a total of six productions. The Opera works with world-renowned singers, conductors, directors, and designers who seek to enhance the art form and make it accessible for a sophisticated, 21st century audience. The Atlanta Opera was founded in 1979, and to this day adheres to its mission to enrich lives through opera.

About the Local 148-462

The Atlanta Federation of Musicians is Local 148-462 of the American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada - the largest organization in the world representing the interests of professional musicians. Organized in 1901, the Atlanta Federation of Musicians is a significant chapter of the AFM representing about 800 musicians throughout central Georgia, including the metropolitan areas of Atlanta, Athens, Augusta, Columbus, and Macon. The professional members of Local 148-462 perform every imaginable style of music - including blues, broadway, classical, country, ethnic/world music, hip-hop, jazz, musical, rap, rock, and soul.

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