British star conductor Sir John Eliot Gardiner (80) has publicly apologized after a violent incident and has canceled his upcoming tour appearances. He deeply regrets “lost his nerve” on Tuesday after a concert performance of Berlioz’s opera Les Troyens at La Côte-Saint-André in France, the musician said in a statement.
Gardiner confirmed media reports that singer William Thomas, 29, was the target of his outbreak. “I know that physical violence is never acceptable and musicians should always feel safe,” Gardiner said in a statement.
The Salzburger Festspiele and Musikfest Berlin announced on Thursday that for the planned performances of “Les Troyens” at both festivals, instead of Gardiner, his assistant Dinis Sousa will conduct the Monteverdi Choir and the Orchester Révolutionnaire et Romantique. This also applies to the tour stations in Versailles and at the BBC Proms in London.
Earlier, classical music website Slipped Disc and The New York Times reported that Gardiner slapped Thomas backstage after walking the wrong side of the stage. Gardiner management was initially unavailable Thursday evening for a detailed description of the incident.
Gardiner is considered a pioneer of historical performance practice. In May he presided over the coronation of Charles III. in London.
Source: Krone
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