The world-famous British conductor and outstanding interpreter of Baroque music Sir John Elliott Gardiner became a party to a backstage scandal. This is reported by The Telegraph newspaper.
The incident occurred after the performance of the opera “Trojans” at the festival Berlioz, which takes place from 20 August to 3 September in the hometown of the French composer La Côte Saint-André.
Monteverdi Choir member William Thomas, leaving the stage after the opera, turned the wrong way and bumped into the 80-year-old conductor. The leader of the ensemble was furious. Gardiner felt that the 29-year-old bass was not concentrating enough, and backstage he attacked the artist with fists and insults.
According to the publication’s sources, the conductor called the singer a “sleepy gay man” and then slapped him and awarded him a punch in the face.
The incident raised concerns about the health of the renowned conductor, all further performances were cancelled and Gardiner travelled to the UK to see a doctor.
The Monteverdi Choir is due to perform Hector Berlioz’s opera The Trojans as part of the BBC Proms in September.
“We take allegations of inappropriate behaviour seriously and are currently establishing the facts of the incident,” a BBC spokesperson commented on the prospects of working with Gardiner.
The Berlioz Festival did not provide comment following the incident, but it is likely that the choir will continue to perform at the event under the direction of assistant conductor Dinish Sousa.
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