When an orchestra beheads its founder

Two British orchestras are following an identical method of crisis resolution.

The Monteverdi orchestras and chorus got rid of their founder, Sir John Eliot Gardiner, after failing to reach agreement on issues of anger management.

Chineke!, the diversity orchestra, has just suspended Chi-chi Nwanoku over issues similarly connected to the realm of human relations.

In both instances, acolytes have been quick to shout: they’ll never survive without the founder.

But they will. Both companies have boards that are stacked with business experience. To them, the loss of a founder is a blip. What matters is efficient management, no tantrums, good medium-term forecasts.

The Monteverdis have recovered their touring schedule and their record label. Chineke!, flush with public funding, will flourish. It’s no big deal to be a founder.

England survived its misunderstanding with King Charles 1.