Arizona Opera, its orchestra OK tentative contract

The orchestra and opera management struck a tentative deal late Monday afternoon that addresses one of the musicians' biggest concerns: job security.

The musicians have been lobbying for a contract that guarantees their employment beyond the three-year window of the deal.

Management met them halfway, guaranteeing the musicians a three-year contract with a two-year right of refusal.

"We've got a letter of agreement basically where the opera commits to using our orchestra for five years. That is one of the primary obstacles that we've been negotiating," said Nathan Mitchell, head of the musicians' negotiations and a horn player in the ensemble.

On Sunday afternoon, the Arizona Opera Orchestra Musicians Association e-mailed news agencies throughout the state complaining that the nearly year-old contract talks had disintegrated. The e-mail stated that opera General Manager Debra Harrison's plan "swept away basic guarantees to the musicians that endanger the opening of the opera's 'The Magic Flute' in Tucson on March 1 and its opening in Phoenix March 6."

Earlier Monday, violinist Cynthia Baker, a member of the negotiating committee, would not say if the orchestra would strike, but she did not rule out the possibility. Mitchell said he could not "specifically speak to" conversations about striking but said "all of those eventualities were being considered."

Under the plan, the musicians have agreed to a wage freeze for the next two years. Musicians on average make $98.95 per service, according to the union's Web site, www.azooma.org.

A section musician who played every service in the 2006-2007 season earned $6,332.80, according to the same Web site. Service includes performances and rehearsals.

Harrison applauded the musicians for "working with the company to put the financial footing of the company behind us."

She said the opera has for several years struggled with an ongoing, accumulated deficit, which is now at $2 million.

The musicians and management hope to have a new contract ratified within two weeks.

"If things continue as they have today and we continue making progress, that's not an unreasonable expectation," Mitchell said.

The dedicated Arizona Opera Orchestra has been around about 10 years.

It was the brainchild of former Artistic Director David Speers, who served five years with the company before resigning in early 2003.

Contract talks started last March in anticipation of the current four-year contract to end in June 2007.

Harrison said the opera is getting a better grasp on its finances. It has focused the past couple years on the business end, including fundraising and fiscal restraints that include signing contracts for three-year intervals for employees and services.

"I feel very confident we are going to have a surplus this year," she said, noting an increase in ticket sales in Tucson and Phoenix and a jump in advance ticket sales for next season.