Teatro alla Scala cancels Faust premiere due to strike

The premiere of Charles Gounod’s Faust, scheduled for October 20, 2026, at Milan’s Teatro alla Scala has been canceled due to industrial action. The strike, organized by unions including Cgil, Cisl, Uil, and Fials, centers on demands for contract renewals, salary increases to combat inflation, shorter working hours, and bonuses.

The theater management stated that the strike prevents the necessary conditions for the performance. Ticket holders will receive refunds, with online purchases being automatically credited. The production, conducted by Daniele Rustioni and directed by Johannes Erath, is now scheduled to proceed with its next performance on Saturday, October 24.

This labor dispute is part of a broader debate regarding working conditions within Italian lyric-symphonic foundations. The production features Vittorio Grigolo, Marina Rebeka, and Alex Esposito.