MUSIC

It appears that Hollywood isn’t the only entertainment city with union problems this summer. The San Francisco Opera has been locked down after talks between management and the American Guild of Musical Artists broke down--for the first time in 40 years. Company management canceled all further activity during a rehearsal for the coming fall season--just before chorus members were about to go on a paid three-week vacation. Approximately 60 artists had been rehearsing since April 11 without a contract in hopes of a new one, said guild national executive secretary Sanford I. Wolff. The old contract expired Dec. 31. “We are prepared to negotiate at any time,” Wolff said Wednesday. However, the guild’s 46% average salary increase demand has stifled the talks. Anthony Turney, director of administration for the opera, told the Hollywood Reporter on Tuesday that talks “had come to a complete impasse.”