Gardiner’s stand-in earns Salzburg ovations
NewsThe absence of Sir John Eliot Gardiner did not impede a strong performance of Les Troyens on tour.
Dinis Souza, the assistant conductor, was loudly applauded.
Die Presse headlined the performance as ‘a complete success’. BildZeitung commented: ‘Sousa commanded the acute sound of the original instrument orchestra and the flawless Monteverdi Choir – both founded by Gardiner – with energy and dramatic flair.’
Other media reported standing ovations.
Photo: © SF/ Marco Borrelli
Is JEG on Gardining leave?
That’s wonderful. All the very best to Dinis Souza, coming out of the shadow of ‘le grand homme’. We look forward to Les Troyens at the Proms next week under his baton!
That is good news. It’s time Sir JEG is retired from the music scene. He can count himself lucky not to stand trial in a court of law for assault. Give new and fresh talent a chance to shine.
“He can count himself lucky not to stand trial in a court of law for assault.”
Dude, just stop. You reveal your own ignorance with these remarks.
Gardiner didn’t kill or maim anyone. William Thomas was able to continue performing.
Punishment in the French Criminal Justice system is proportional — it’s not an authoritarian regime where minor crimes get you locked in a gulag for years.
As I’ve said before, if the French authorities pursue criminal chargers, Gardiner is ultimately looking at a fine and community service, plus a stern warning to never do it again. And I couldn’t think of anything more fitting for Gardiner than community service. Make him teach underprivileged kids music and farming.
When it comes to punishment, the real focus should be on what Monteverdi is going to do. In any workplace, if you punch someone, you swiftly get fired. End of story. What’s Monteverdi waiting for?
He could be voted out of office by the board….
To my certain knowledge Monteverdi is decomposing.
We gladly present you CONDUCTOR, then Berlioz, then his opera, then some orchestra and maybe singers. But what they do in comparison with conductor is just hilarious. VIVA DIRIGENT!
Meanwhile, Sir Jiggy is at home in his favourite chair sipping a glass and browsing through Slipped Disc.
“I used to be a conductor, you know. It’s a hard life. Hey – don’t take all my digestive biscuits. You want a fight ?”
Whatever you think of Gardiner, remember he (partly?) rehearsed the damned thing…
at least souza is a big hit.
so is Gardner in a different way.
I’m looking forward to the Prom.
Sousa has worked with Gardiner and the Monteverdi musicians for years — it shouldn’t be any surprise that he’s able to effortlessly take Gardiner’s place.
And as others have noted, at 80, Gardiner should have already done more to elevate Sousa, such as letting him lead several tours a year. The named in “Associate Conductor” back in 2018, made a huge deal about it, and then did nothing.
This is good to hear. He’ll no doubt get a rousing ovation at the Proms as well. I hope Jeggy will enjoy a good long rest away from the podium.
Ad multos annos, or something.
In all seriousness, I do think JEG has an obligation to help secure continued funding for Monteverdi.
Having relied on his cult of personality to bring in funding was cost effective, but it did nothing to help ensure funding would continue after he was gone. And by the time he was in his mid-70s, death becomes likelier and likelier.
He owes it to the musicians and employees to ensure the funders he has personal relationships with continue to give.
Somehow the thought of “owing” anything to the musicians seems quite out of character with John Eliott
*Sousa, not Souza.
I can’t imagine a composer who needs so-called “original instruments” *less* than Berlioz. I wish HIP charlatans would finally give this gimmick a rest.
Try telling that to someone who’s had to listen to two modern tubas obliterating everything else within a two mile radius in Damnation de Faust because hardly anyone can be arsed to learn the ophicleide any more
Exactly right.
The exact opposite is of course the case but if you don’t like it you can stay at home.
Hardly a gimmick. There are many successful recordings of 17th, 18th and 19th century works both with and without the HIP approach. Also true there are dreadful HIP (and non-HIP) performances. The broad brush thinking on HIP performances is close minded. Case in point: my favorite Symphonie Fantastique recording is conducted by Munch, but there are several HIP versions that are quite accomplished. Does this work really come across the way Berlioz intended if the orchestra doesn’t have a couple of ophicleides? I would think that HIP Stravinsky makes even less sense.
Congratulations, “Sir” Dinis! A very well deserved tribute to your extraordinary but underappreciated talents! An illustrious future eagerly awaiting you!
well, Sir JEG probably did do a major share of the preparatory rehearsals, so it’s his success as well, still.
I missed some physical action…..
Like we are used to under the ‘baton’ of Jeggy…
Very happy to hear! Wishing him all success. And I bought a ticket to JEG Bminor mass at Carnegie this fall.
“Yes, and!”
Dinis is a Hit,
JEG is a slap!
Great news!