Munich orchestra manager is convicted of drug peddling
mainA former orchestra manager of the Bavarian State Opera has been found guilty of selling marijuana and ecstasy pills. He pleaded guilty and admitted to smoking up to 15 joints a day ‘but never at work’. He claimed to have bought the drugs from stagehands.
The manager was dismissed from his job in November last year. Yesterday, he received a suspended sentence of 22 months. Under German law, the man has been named only as Daniel M.
The translation “orchestra manager” is misleading. One would think of a person being involved in artistic decision-making, but the German term “Orchesterwart” designs the person who is responsible for setting up the podium, transporting bulky instruments, putting the music on the desks etc.
If he had toked the odd spliff while at work, it’d be entirely understandable. Orchestra Manager is a job that’s only bearable in the long term with some form of self-medication.