Michael Francis, the LSO doublebass who became a condcutor by stepping in for Valery Gergiev when he missed rehearsals, has taken US citizenship as a token of his burgeoning baton career. Michael is music director of the Florida Orchestra.
Another Brexit drifter.
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Brexit drifter? He has been performing in the US since he was 16
He may become a real drifter once Florida begins to flood permanently, endangered by rising seas as it and every other low lying land is. (Actually, Florida’s natural state is that of a swamp, but to say this is not appreciated in some places in- and outside of Florida…)
“Another Brexit drifter.”
Who has not only moved to a country outside the EU, but which would not under any circumstances allow itself to be governed from outside.
HAAA-hahahahaha
LSO “PRINCIPAL”?
Who the hell still wants to get a US citizenship this days? After living there for almost 15 years, I realized I had enough of super dumb / racist people, lack of freedom and lack of culture. The only thing that saves “the great U S of A” is their $$$$ which allows them to build advanced facilities, hire gifted players and conductors from other countries and helps them pretend they have a “diverse”, “free”, “independent” and “flourishing” country/society.
If I had a nickel I’d find a game
If I won a dollar I’d make it rain
If it rained an ocean I’d drink it dry
And lay me down dissatisfied
— Star-Spangled Banner (alternate lyrics)
The practical downside for a musician who seeks out a US citizenship is taxation: US citizens can be taxed for income earned anywhere in the world, though there are lots of exceptions.
Otherwise, your generalizations grossly misrepresent the US. I have lived here a little longer than you, and am a naturalized US citizen.
Well, I hear Venezuela is lovely this time of the year. Bring plenty of toilet paper …
Be glad you spell your last name with an a and no a u…;-)
Another one who just couldn’t make it in the USA and had to go home with tail between the legs, barking on classical music blogs.
Yup, Boris is far better and all those yobs who backed him are nicer and smarter too. Same for Putin and his Russian supporters; the Presidents of Poland, Hungry and their antisemitic supporters; the crazed and power hungry President of Turkey and his backers; La Pen and associates; and in Italy, Bernlusconi the clean-man and his mafia-like successors. Even Canada has a PM who enjoyed playing in black face and is a traitor to his alleged progressive ideals.
Rather worrisome that you lumped Putin and the President of Turkey with the others.
Say what you like about Trump and Boris (and the others in Canada and the EU), but they were democratically elected by voters who were free to elect someone else if they had wanted to. Perhaps, rather than calling those voters names, you should consider why the electorate made such choices.
Not LSO Principal.
Yep, that’ll be Brexit alright. A US passport famously confers full rights to live and work in the EU27.
He stepped in to conduct a piece by Sofia Gubadulina as Gergiev had flu. He had been conducting on and off for a while. He managed but hopefully he has improved!
He also stepped in for John Adams conducting his music. In fact, he stepped in many times and was always successful – the LSO doesn’t tolerate fools. (And he wasn’t a principal.)
His wife is American and the US will now allow dual nationality, so he probably still has his British passport.
To be technical, the US still does not “allow” dual nationality, but does look the other way. The State Department no longer enforces the ban on holding two passports. However, if Mr Francis were to seek to enter the US on his UK passport, he would be committing a crime and would forfeit his US citizenship. (The UK takes the same position on its citizens who might seek to enter the UK on a non-UK passport).
Here is a related page from the State Department website
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel_old/en/legal-considerations/us-citizenship-laws-policies/citizenship-and-dual-nationality/dual-nationality.html
Are you sure that the UK takes that position?
Mark Zuckerberg conducting…
…not music, but indeed very dangerous games threatening democracy and freedom everywhere on the planet.
I think he wanna be also recognised for being a chief conductor in Ludwigshafen, Germany rather than an ex-LSO principal…
What is this LSO principal bit?
pop 171,000?
He married an American so instant US citizenship. Lives in Tampa which has a serious sinkhole problem.
https://www.foundationprosfl.com/massive-sinkhole-threatens-tampa-fl-neighborhood/
Marrying an American results in a Green Card, not citizenship..
Gergiev is condcute but Michael Francis is condcutor!
Ha – my eyes glided right over that one 😀