Italian violin contest throws out 3 Russians

Italian violin contest throws out 3 Russians

News

norman lebrecht

May 24, 2022

The Russian Lidia Kocharian has been refused entry as a Russian to the Rodolfo Lipitzer International Violin Competition after initially being accepted when she applied as a Belgium-based Armenian.

Two other Russians have also been rejected.

Comments

  • alexis piantedoux says:

    and because of that the orchestra ( FVG orchestra, a local orchestra) that had to play with the finalists refuse to play. Bravo to the orchestra!

  • Peter says:

    “Good” racism.

  • Elizabeth Owen says:

    She has an Armenian name.

    • postiepaul says:

      So did Khatchachurian. An ardent Stalinist.

      • William-Michael Costello says:

        Sorry, Katcha was not a Stalinist. He was a deeply religious man, absolutely petrified of Stalin acing been already on Stalinā€˜s list after the war.

  • Fan says:

    A grammatically atrocious official letter.

  • Carlo says:

    How else could the Italians hope to make their violinists win?

  • Storch says:

    Well done, competition! I heard that because of that Putin said that they leave Ukraine. Victory!

  • O. Haller says:

    Sad. Russians are human beings like the rest of us, subject to our nationality at birth.

  • Hope says:

    I agree with all of the above. This makes a mockery of the many legitimate sanctions.

  • Gerry Feinsteen says:

    Applied as an Armenian based in Belgium?

    Well, first off, without playing a single note sheā€™s already more famous now than if she would have won the competition.

    Hats off to the organizers! They know how to lump people together and qualify said people as all being the same in political beliefs, etc. W. Bush wasnā€™t an angel, but the world still got Lady Gaga.

    Itā€™s time to put pineapple on pizza in protest

  • Russell Grant says:

    Does anyone know how to insert rolly eyes emoji into the comments?

  • Gues says:

    Shame on you! Insane decision which has nothing to do with war. Discrimination!!

  • MG says:

    Insane!
    Everyone with a brain should boycott this competition.
    Itā€™s just absolutely racist.

  • Pianofortissimo says:

    They carry machine guns in their violin cases. You know, like Al Capone.

  • Brian Donohue says:

    As with the tennis players: out of this side their mouth they say: “if you don’t reject and denounce your home nation and its leader you can’t be part of our event”; out of the other side of mouth they say: “that tyrant tortures, murders, and bankrupts all who criticize him — and goes after their families too!”

  • MPMcGrath says:

    Sad world.

  • El Cid says:

    Without Russians the competition becomes a soporific recital.

  • Nurhan Arman says:

    Cancel culture idiocy.

  • Nina says:

    Most modern contests are about money and politics. Not helpful for talents.

  • Sharon says:

    If this was because Italy is canceling all exchanges with Russian citizens it’s one thing; the competition did not have a choice. If it is because the Orchestra or competition did not want to do it then it is the most egregious xenophobia.

    I believe that SOME economic boycotts may be appropriate.

    However, a cultural boycott is only appropriate IF the cultural organization (not individual) is DIRECTLY and MAINLY funded by the government that is being boycotted. In addition, there should be a DIRECT and obvious affiliation. For ex, a national philharmonic orchestra that uses the name of the nation in their title.

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