French festival replaces Russian founder
NewsThe international festival at Colmar, in Alsace-Lorraine, has named the French conductor Alain Altinoglu as its next artistic durector, effective immediately.
He replaces Vladimir Spivakov, who founded the July festival in 1989 and has led it ever since.
Spivakov, 78, is keeping a low profile during Putin’s war.
Y’en a marre.
It is not called Alsace-Lorraine since 1918, Lord Lebrecht! Colmar is located in the “département du Haut-Rhin”, or, if you want it really straight, in Alsace. Just Alsace.
An important correction: the festival was not founded by Spivakov. It was founded in 1978 by Karl Münchinger. Spivakov took over in 1989. Münchinger died the following year and was probably already ill at the time of Spivakov’s arrival. https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Festival_international_de_musique_de_Colmar
The ugliest political decision.
Spivakov’s hands are dirty. He cozied up to Putin years ago and licked his shoes. But now he withdraws in his typical cowardly retreat… fooling nobody but himself.
He didn’t withdraw, the municipality cancelled him: https://www.dna.fr/culture-loisirs/2022/03/02/colmar-annule-son-festival-international-de-musique
An excellent choice! Congratulations to Alain Altinoglu!
A excellent concert. While you condemn Russian artists, keep in mind that their families are still in Russia and reprisals can be taken against them for speaking out. I think of Dimi whose parents are still in Russia. Had he lived, he would be in the same position. Artists are awarded prizes from countries all over the world regardless of their politics. They don’t cozy up.