went on strike on Friday, September 25, 2026, after failing to reach an agreement with management over wages. The strike forced the orchestra to cancel its Friday and Saturday performances and raised concerns about its upcoming European tour.

The musicians believe their salaries have not kept up with rising living costs. Elayna Duitman, a violinist and leader of the union’s negotiating committee, said that musicians had lost 10 percent of their purchasing power because of inflation over the past six years. The union is asking for a 25 percent salary increase over three years.

However, André Gremillet, the orchestra’s president and chief executive, argued that the strike was unnecessary because management still wanted to negotiate. He also said that the union had gone on strike before receiving the orchestra’s best offer.

This disagreement comes at a difficult time for classical music organizations, which have been struggling with declining ticket sales, donations, and revenue. Recently, musicians at the San Francisco Opera also went on strike over wages before reaching a tentative agreement.

The Cleveland Orchestra’s strike could affect its international reputation and upcoming performances. continue negotiating to reach an agreement that supportswhile keeping the orchestra financially stable.