Exclusive: Sir John Eliot Gardiner quits Trojans after singer incident
NewsWe are receiving multiple reports of an assault by the conductor Sir John Eliot Gardiner after a performance of the first part of Les Troyens at the Berlioz Festival in La Côte Saint André last night.
According to our informants, and with confirmation by a person authorised to speak on Gardiner’s behalf, Gardiner was annoyed that the English bass singer William Thomas, 29, left the podium on the wrong side.
Backstage, in the wings and out of sight of the audience, Gardiner, 80, rebuked Thomas in front of the cast, then slapped and punched him in the face.
This morning, it was announced to the cast that Gardiner was leaving for London immediately to see his doctor. Tonight’s performance will be taken over by his assistant Dinis Sousa. At this moment, he is still expected to continue the tour to Salzburg, Versailles, Berlin and the BBC Proms.
A representative of Sir John Eliot Gardiner told slippedisc.com that he was suffering last night from extreme heat in France and suspects that a recent change in his medication may have provoked a behaviour that he now regrets.
Photo from last night: Le Dauphiné Libéré/Benoit Almeras
UPDATE: The Telegraph has provoked a reaction from the BBC: The BBC is now investigating the alleged incident, with Sir John scheduled to perform during the Proms at the Royal Albert Hall on Sept 3. A spokesman for the corporation said: “We take allegations about inappropriate behaviour seriously, and are currently establishing the facts about the incident.”
UPDATE2: A message from the victim
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