Conductor under #Metoo attack retires to an Austrian monastery

Conductor under #Metoo attack retires to an Austrian monastery

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norman lebrecht

October 25, 2018

The Frankfurt Opera intendant Bernd Loebe is taking charge of Austria’s troubled Erl festival, following the withdrawal of its founding conductor Gustav Kuhn who, it is officially stated, is retiring to a monastery.

Kuhn, 73, has been pursued by claims of sexual and other forms of harassment at the festival, which he strenuously denied.

Loebe, 65, is one of the safest pairs of hands in the opera world.

Hans Peter Haselsteiner, the festival’s president, said that Kuhn had completed his duties and would ‘retire to a monastery and renounce the sordid world for some time.’

 

 

Comments

  • facts says:

    A monastery located in the Toscana. It was probably a long time ago since the Toscana belonged to the Austrian empire.

  • Caravaggio says:

    And if only Kuhn knew how to conduct. Anyhow, surprised that his longtime partner Domingo didn’t run to his rescue, carrying him to LA or any other parts under his tentacles.

  • Enquiring Mind says:

    How long does he have to be banished to a monastery, undergoing self-contemplation, before he can emerge, enlightened, cleansed, and able to mount, hopefully only, the podium?

  • martain smith says:

    Will this protect him from legal claims? From what I’ve heard sexual misconduct is only the tip of the iceberg.

  • Fred says:

    preferred Loebe as a radio presenter/producer of opera singers than his go at leading an operahouse where he -probably against his own sound judgement- joined the eurotrash movement showing he lacks backbone and just does this to keep a well-paid job.but he knows about voices and that’s more than many operadirectors can say. But still i had high expectations of him as a theatre boss…

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