Court win for musician deafened by Wagner

A MUSICIAN whose hearing was wrecked by deafening rehearsals at the Royal Opera House has had his £750,000 claim backed by judges.

Christopher Goldscheider, 45, demanded compensation after being exposed to noise levels equivalent to the roar of a jet engine in the orchestra pit in September 2012.

The viola player suffered hearing damage, which ‘ended his professional career’, and his lawyers claimed the Royal Opera House Covent Garden Foundation was to blame after failing to protect him – although they said they had safeguarded the musicians.

In March last year Mrs Justice Nicola Davies ruled in favour of the musician. His damages have yet to be assessed but are estimated at over £750,000.

The Royal Opera House went to the Court of Appeal, which rejected the case after a twoday hearing.

The court heard Mr Goldscheider, from Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, was left with hypersensitivity and pain after hearing a loud blast from the 18-strong brass section – despite wearing earplugs at the time.