Who’s selling British musicians to the Saudis?
NewsPrivate Eye reports that the Manchester Camerata has played two hush-hush concerts in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia for various sheikhs and their acolytes. A case of Sheikh, Rattle and Roll, perhaps.
What the Eye doesn’t mention is that the Department of Culture Media and Sport (prop. Nad Hatters) had previously offered this lucrative pair of engagements to a number of London orchestras, who found all sorts of reasons not to accept. Even in these tough times.
UPDATE: A freedom of information request has been put in ot investigate the role of the DCMS and the Association of British Orchestras in these dealings.
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