Busiest conductor on the festival circuit
mainThe unstoppable Charles Dutoit conducted Beethoven’s 9th a few days ago in Lujbljana, capital of Slovenia, where Mahler got his first job.
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The entire history of arts and culture are filled up by highly problematic figures. As an example, just think of the English Romantic poets of the 19th century. One can also think about the artists and cultural figures of the Renaissance. Are we going to eradicate all cultural history just because its leading figures were not perfectly behaved bourgeoisie. The average person is not so flawless either. We should not be too judgemental, as the chances are deep down we are hypocrites when we judge people, unless of course the misdeeds are much more serious (such as in the case of Nazis and its supporters).
Dutoit assaulted a woman I know. This isn’t a matter of having a flaw or two- he attacked many women.
>We should not be too judgemental
“The woman who accused the conductor of raping her said the assault occurred when she was working with Dutoit at an orchestra on the East Coast of the U.S. The AP does not publish the names of people who say they are victims of sexual assault without their permission so, to protect her identity, the AP also is not disclosing the instrument she plays, her orchestra or the city where she said she was attacked.
Three of her colleagues in the same orchestra told the AP that the woman confided in them after the encounter.”
https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/new-allegations-dutoit-assault-1.4483083
> unless of course the misdeeds are much more serious (such as in the case of Nazis and its supporters)
Why would you yourself justify sexual violence and support sexual predator? Or just because you cannot relate to the particular problem is not a big deal?
I don’t think you understand what is at stake. No one is saying Dutoit is pure evil who should be banished from all corners of civil society. We are saying that given that he has not been held accountable, it is no longer acceptable to support him in his profession where he makes huge financial profits all the while raping his colleagues. What is so hard to understand about this? Yes, you’re right, in general we should not judge someone’s worth so quickly, and we should extend understanding, but in this case, not at the expense of further victimization of the victims and professional glorification of a rapist.
On a side note, how could anyone possibly want to listen to him conduct one of the most humanistic pieces of music ever composed? The irony is staggering.
Speaking of hypocrisy again we have the perfectly
behaved bourgeoisie attending yet another outing
of the Beethoven 9th. their feel good social event
music.
He’s put on quite a bit of weight
This comment is your erudite reply? Shall I weep? Shall I laugh? This question posed unto to me.
Oh, joy.
I’m sure the female air crew were grateful not to have him on the plane….
The 68th Ljubljana Festival in Slovenia sound like the place to be!
“The two-month-long event will attract performers such as Russian-Austrian operatic soprano Anna Netrebko, Azerbaijani tenor Yusif Eyvazov and German tenor Jonas Kaufmann, among others.”
https://www.aa.com.tr/en/latest-on-coronavirus-outbreak/slovenia-hosts-68th-ljubljana-festival-amid-virus/1908871
Why did he include the hashtag William Preucil? I guess birds of a feather really do flock together.
Ljubljana is also where Fritz (Frigyes) Reiner got his first job.
Peter San Diego: And a certain Gustav Mahler.
The more the classical music genre elevate ‘conductors’ to pop star status the more ridiculous it looks in the eyes of genuine music lovers.
The man is a talentless hack. May we move on now?
It would be nice to add that maestro was conducting the SLOVENIAN PHILHARMONIC orchestra and choir…. And by the way it was really great to hear the orchestra sound and share the great music together with the audience. Hope to be returning to play to the concert hall in the fall….
Basically, this battle has already been fought.
By now, anyone who considers buying a ticket for a Dutoit performance knows all about the allegations against him. People who buy a ticket are basically expressing the opinion that they’re OK with it for whatever reason (accusations untrue/ treated unfairly/ nothing to do with his music-making, etc), and people who don’t are saying they’re not (accusations true/ not an interesting conductor, etc). People in both groups can decide what they think of him, or of an organization that invites him.
It’s over.