In a show of solidarity, members of at least a half-dozen labor unions will join musicians from the Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre orchestra this week for a four-day protest against the use of recorded music in the ballet's production of "Carmen."

The financially troubled ballet company will open its 36th season at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow at the Benedum Center, Downtown, but without its 40-member orchestra.

In August, PBT eliminated the orchestra in an effort to save half a million dollars. Instead of live music, the dancers will perform to an orchestral recording of the music.

Performances of "Carmen" also are scheduled Friday and Saturday evenings as well as Sunday afternoon.

The unions plan to feature live music each day on the sidewalks outside the Benedum but will not attempt to disrupt the ballet's performances.

The Steel City Stompers will play acoustic Dixieland jazz for an hour, beginning at 6:30 p.m. tomorrow.

"We're hardly going to play 'Swan Lake.' It's depressing enough for the musicians," said Bob Rawsthorne, leader of the band, who promised to keep things upbeat.

George Clewer, president of the Pittsburgh Musicians Union, said brass players from the PBT's orchestra are expected to perform Friday and Saturday, with members of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra tentatively scheduled to play on Sunday. The live music will begin each day an hour or so before the ballet performance, ending as the curtains open.

E. Jeanne Gleason, chairwoman of the PBT board of directors, was unaware of plans for live music performances outside the Benedum but had anticipated a protest.

"I know that they have registered [for a permit] with the city," she said. "I'm sorry that they feel they have to picket. They have a right to do that.

"I'm sure they will be pleasant and kind to our arriving ticket holders and subscribers."

Pittsburgh Ballet announced the elimination of the orchestra during unsuccessful negotiations with the musicians this past summer. The company says the move will save $551,000, which is in keeping with its overall 2005-06 budget of $6.4 million, down $1 million from the previous season. In January, PBT had a deficit of nearly $1 million.

The musicians, represented by Local 60-471 of the American Federation of Musicians, filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board, contending that work rules require employers to consult with workers when a change in production methods affects employment. That case is pending.

Cynthia Anderson, chairwoman of the ballet orchestra committee, said negotiations remain suspended.

"Because management has delivered only part of the legally required financial documents the musicians requested, there have been no face-to-face meetings since Aug 1," she said.

PBT dancers, who are represented by the American Guild of Musical Artists, have a no-sympathy-strike clause in their contract and are expected to perform.

"We expect the dancers to do what they need to do. They are our colleagues," said Mrs. Anderson, an oboe player.

Among the protesters tomorrow through Sunday will be ballet subscribers, music teachers from public schools, musicians from the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Akron Symphony and Civic Light Opera Orchestra, and faculty members from Carnegie Mellon University, the University of Pittsburgh and West Virginia University.

Leaders and members from the American Federation of Musicians in New York, Regional Orchestra Players Association, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, American Guild of Musical Artists, Teamsters, Service Employees International and other unions represented by the Allegheny County Labor Council will join the protest.

Jack Shea, president of the Labor Council, said he asked the 100,000 members represented by the council's 195 union locals to back the musicians by attending the protest. He acknowledged that a financially stable ballet is a key cultural amenity but said musicians' jobs should not be outsourced.

"What happens when the music skips? Do [the dancers] take an extra step?" he asked.

Additional opposition to the ballet's use of recorded music is brewing within the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association.

In a Sept. 8 letter, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre invited music teachers and their ensembles of student musicians or choirs to play or sing in the Benedum Center lobby at one of the 12 performances of "The Nutcracker" Dec. 9-23.

Areta Kalogeras, president of District 1 of the association, which represents 700 teachers in a five-county area of Western Pennsylvania, has asked that the offer be rejected.

"We are supporting our colleagues, and we believe in the value of educating our students about the joy of performing and creating music," Ms. Kalogeras said, noting that at least two dozen music teachers have decided not to accept the ballet's invitation.

Ida D'Errico, a spokeswoman for PBT, said yesterday that the lobby performances have "always been part of 'The Nutcracker' tradition."

Mrs. Anderson said that tradition has already been disrupted by elimination of the ballet orchestra.

"If the ballet wants to keep its policy consistent, maybe they should ask the music educators to record their student ensembles and send them to be played," she said.