Musicians & Artists Protest Theater Closures in Munich, Milan & Barcelona
By Francisco SalazarFollowing the closure of theaters around European numerous protests were staged outside major theaters
Among the theaters that saw protests included the Bayerische Staatsoper, Teatro Comunale di Bologna, Teatro alla Scala, and Gran Teatre del Liceu.
According to the Bayerische Staatsoper’s social media pages employees and members of all Munich theaters demonstrated with a human chain through the city center against the closures of the houses.
Meanwhile, in front of the Teatro alla Scala and Teatro Comunale di Bologna, hundreds of artists protested with signs that said “Opera is Work” and “Music is Work.” In Milan, baritone Simone Piazzola protested while in Bologna singers Federica Vitali, Cristina Melis, Mariangela Sicilia, Angelo Veccia, Franco Vassallo, Luca Gallo, Marina Ogii, Marco Miglietta, and Lorenzo Giossi were present to demonstrate against the government’s decision.
In Barcelona, 600 people protested the closures of all theaters and auditoriums in Catalonia. The protest was held at the Passeig de Gràcia, which stopped traffic. Workers held up signs asking for government help and stating that “Culture is secure.”
Numerous artists also took to social media noting that trains and airplanes were still full while theaters, which followed safety protocols, were empty.
Over the past week, the majority of European opera houses were forced to close following a surge in COVID-19 cases. The new lockdowns will last until the end of November in order to stop the spread of the virus.
View this post on Instagram
Categories
News
