On April 20, 2023, the Opéra National de Paris’s general director Alexander Neef took the stage of the Bastille to announce unexpected changes to a performance of “Ariodante.”

The performance, which was set to premiere in a production by Robert Carson, was instead presented in a concert version. Prior to the performance, Neef took to the stage to make the announcement, noting that staff had warned of the possibility of a strike taking place at the company with no end in sight. As a result, he noted that performances could be canceled on the day of the show or presented in a reduced version, as was the case during the “Ariodante” premiere.

Préavis de grève illimité @operadeparis pic.twitter.com/mSrF5qLfDS

— Freak McLyric (@FreakMcLyric) April 20, 2023

Neef was met with disapproval from the audience with several members booing and jeering his announcement.

The subsequent April 23 performance was canceled and ticketholders will receive a credit or a refund.

“Aridoante” is set to run through May 20, 2023. The cast stars Emily D’Angelo, Matthew Brook, Olga Kulchynska, Eric Ferring, Christophe Dumaux, and Tamara Banjesevic. Harry Bicket conducts.