Once again, the most unlucky opera production of the year, the Nekrosius-directed "Faust" (thank heavens it wasn't "La Forza") that has been marred by an amazing series of strikes and protests by la Scala's orchestra and chorus, keeps dragging the drama llama out of its stable.
The orchestra and chorus showed up once again in street clothes tonight (just like they did at la prima that Opera Chic saw), and Scala GM Stéphane Lissner probably had enough, finally. So he let the unions know that today will be considered by management to be a day of strike -- ie, chorus and orchestra will not be paid for today's work.
***update***
CGIL Union leader Giancarlo Albori explained to ANSA news agency that Lissner made his decision one hour before curtain, and the union "considers this to be blackmail, an irresponsible act unworthy of a real manager".