A dispute between Musicians Guild performers and the producers of Karlheinz Stockhausen's SAMSTAG aus LICHT (Saturday from Light) transformed an evening of brilliant performance into a debacle as cross words were exchanged between ensemble members and Director Antonio Giulgetti.

Stockhausen later acknowledged that he had much to do with the bad feelings. "We were working very hard, started late, and I was enthusiastic to do the whole movement." Ensemble members diagreed vehemently, some unwilling to continue the performance since they would be doing so at their own expense. Others were unwilling to pay, even after Giulgetti offered to pay for the extra time. As is generally the case, the main point of dissention proved not to be the issue itself, but the language to be used during the talks. Director Giulgetti expressed his regret that he spoke no english and that so few members of the ensemle could speak italian, noting "eh, oli, oli, is no parlano, maus una milleno il nos speake italiano." Conductor H. Robert Reynolds explained that it was to be expected as many of the ensemble came from America.

Listen, you know that the administration won't pay us if we play past 10 pm. - Lewis The director said that you should continue and that he is prepared to pay. - Stockhausen We don't know what you're saying. - Ensemble member Wait a minute. Wait! - Stockhausen Primodina. Bambina -Giulgetti

Tanz A Wipe

Here is a transcription of some of the melee:

Orchestra strikes at the end of scene 3, "Lucifer's Dance".

Voice: Order, order please. Quiet please.

Angry voice: George, what are you...?

Stockhausen: Robert, what is the matter?

Angry voices: There is a time limit.

Reynolds: They say that they are over time.

Stockhausen: Oh, come on. We started late tonight.

Voices: Forget it, no way.

Lewis: Listen. You know that the adminstration won't pay us if we play any longer.

Stockhausen: But Lewis, just play for me. If you don't want to play for the adminstration,       play for me.

More angry crowd noises: We want someone from the administration to come in

Stockhausen: Wait a minute, wait!

Noises: Fellini, Marcellus, ..bring me a martini. Hey! We want to talk to Giulgetti.