Exclusive: Moscow sacks conductor for playing Ode to Joy
NewsThe young conductor Ivan Velikanov added a round of Beethoven’s Ode to Joy on Friday at Nizhny Novgorod Opera as a personal protest against the ‘special operation’ in Ukraine.
Velikanov was promptly banned from conducting Marriage of Figaro tonight in Moscow
Velikanov, originally from Paris, is assistant conductor at Moscow Academic Musical Theatre of Stanislavsky and Nemirovich-Danchenko and Artistic Director at Alta Capella Ensemble.
He says: ‘Friends! I hurry to announce that due to my small anti-war match and the performance of the theme from “Oda to Joy” Beethoven before the performance on 25th at the Nizhny Novgorod Opera, I am suspended from conducting the “Wedding of Figaro” tomorrow (March 1) in Moscow… I would like to express my gratitude to those who tried to defend me and respect to my colleagues who did not agree to replace me.’
I was just checking and apparently there are more than 145 million citizens in Russia, the largest country in the world and they are mostly afraid of the “King of the World” or so he thinks, sitting in the Kremlin. Russia needs more people like Ivan Velikanov!
Your irony is delicious (“…the largest country in the world…”). Your last sentence is exactly right on!
It is indeed the world’s largest country, but apparently not large enough for its murderous dictator. But Ivan Velikanov on the other hand is clearly a mensch.
A courageous thing to do. There’s always a place for a promising young conductor in the West. I hear there’s a vacant position in Munich. 😉
That’s how it works under a war mongering dictatorship: please, no humanist symbols.
What Russian arse-kissers are giving these comments a thumbs down?
Relocate to Moscow scumbags!
Buonasera, sono solidale con gli ucraini , condanno apertamente Putin. Trovo che escludere Gergiev dalla scala ci metta allo stesso livello di Putin e dei dittatori come Hitler. Non si può escludere una persona dal lavoro perché non la pensa come vorremmo. È il processo alle intenzioni .Putin ha licenziato un giovane direttore d ‘orchestra perché contrario alla guerra.
Bravo Paola
Il vostro commento è interessante, ma posso suggerire che a Gergiev è stata data una scelta. Gli è stato chiesto di terminare il suo sostegno pubblico per Putin, un guerrafondaio. Si è rifiutato di farlo così il suo contratto è stato annullato. Aveva una scelta. Ha scelto la sua strada.
A brave man !! Good LUCK!!