Dudamel tour is cancelled because Paris can’t afford it
NewsMessage received from the Barbican Centre:
We regret to communicate the cancellation of our forthcoming performance by the Orchestre de l’Opéra national de Paris, conducted by Gustavo Dudamel on 22 April 2023. We have been informed by the orchestra that they have had to cancel this concert, as well as another performance at Musikverein in Vienna as part of this short tour, due to factors that are currently making touring financially challenging for them.
It’s a very good orchestra, but it was never a touring one. They are better playing occasional non-operatic concerts at home in Paris. Like the Met orchestra, if they dip into Mahler or Sibelius, they are rarely completely at home and offer more of a curiosity value rather than competition with the great ensembles of the world.
sorry it’s definitely not a loss – forgive me but it’s not if Berlin and Petrenko would cancel
Dudamel is overrated like Rattle – the orchestra third class
“Dudamel is overrated like Rattle”
Don’t know if I’d go that far. Dudamel has gotten some great results.
So has Rattle.
The Dude provides a generational fresh face to counter some of the fading maestros who remain on the podium, not to mention the benefits of new, talented and good-looking females.
Is the fact the females are “good looking “ relevant? This is institutional sexism. Looks should not be mentioned. Disappointed.
So has Rattle. Still overrated.
always get a chuckle out of the self appointed conductor and solist rating agencies in the internet. Talking about getting a life…
Could not agree more. smh
Some of us have live recordings of both of them conducting *their* orchestras, in the same repertoire. I suggest you be careful of such judgement.
Dudamel, who was pushed into spotlight too early and headed LA Phil since he was 28, did not know what to expect from the famous orchestras he was guest conducting, and therefore was never sure if what he heard in front of him was due to bad attitude or mere mediocrity, and clearly never formulated an effective rehearsal strategy for them.
Dudamel and management have made the LA Philharmonic among the top 5 in the US. It’s budget is larger than that of the New York Phil.
This orchestra is excellent I have seen it many times. You talk too quickly.
Rattle overrated. Oh dear!!!! Poor you.
Why not tour unstaged operas? Or cantatas or other major choral works? The speciality is in works with voices, not merely pit playing.
I beg to differ with you: they’re as good, if not better, than practically any symphony orchestra in France. Likewise, the Met and La Scala orchestras have a lot to offer on the concert platform. Opera orchestras need to get out of the pit, for the sake of a change of repertoire and for psychological reasons. It can be very lonely and cold down there!
Saying they are as good any French orchestra says it all. They should not be allowed to lower the bar around Europe. Perhaps a good German conservatory ensemble could take their place.
‘they’re as good, if not better, than practically any symphony orchestra in France.’
Faint praise indeed.
If you think the Orchestre de Paris is somehow a poor orchestra, I think your ears need cleaning out.
Maybe you should visit France from time to time.
Dudamel will soon regret his decision to have accepted the position in Paris.
There is not one French run cultural organisation that is not a chaotically managed, highly bureaucratic, politicised, intrigue-ridden and extremely unpleasant organisation. The vast majority of these operas, symphony orchestras, festivals and ensembles live in constant confusion, endless conflicts between their staff and management, violent strikes, vandalism of property, event cancellations and permanent upheaval.
When one looks at the money that has been thrown into these organisations and the serious lack of international quality, professionalism and stability that comes out of it, one quickly realises how dreadful and amateurish the entire system there is. I know of countless singers, rehearsal pianists, stage directors, set designers, costume designers and conductors who will never return to work on any projects in France due to the appalling, unprofessional and provincial ways of handling just about everything. I sadly predict that Mr. Dudamel will soon join that list.
Well said. Also, look how far his star has fallen. First, and taking this job on in the first place and second… He is not scheduled in Berlin, in Vienna… This industry, I swear.
“…chaotically managed, highly bureaucratic, politicised, intrigue-ridden and extremely unpleasant organisation.”
Funny, it strikes me that the same could be said of some top-tier (or second, third, N-th tier….) privately-run American ensembles.
Reading suggestion: a quick scroll through countless posts recently (or not so recently) published in this same blog.
It is more London who cannot afford it LOL
Touring is never cheap, but Paris-London is just a 3-hour trip on the Eurostar, relatively cheap and easy as touring goes. Vienna a bit more of a slog; the two are in opposite directions so not a logical touring combination.
If only Dudamel did more “outreach” . . .
Can’t they slum it in the 2nd class train compartment and the hostel dormitory? There’s more than one way to skin a cat
Paris Opera and Dudamel are a mismatch made by publicists and agents. I don’t see how they complement each other one bit. I’m not sure what they’re bringing to the world by touring either. Is there anything that must be heard conducted by Dudamel? Is there anything that must be heard played by the Paris opera orchestra? No and no. So save yourselves the money, save the world from the waste of carbon.
Lucky for us we have Martyn Brabbins and the C list ENO orchestra to punish our ears. But only for a bit longer if we are lucky.
As an amateur life long orchestral n chamber musician, this affordability stuff is sad news but part of the bourgeoisie IMHO. Plenty of affordable music around I certainly hope. Make one’s own
What does “financially challenging” mean ? Tickets didn’t sell ?