Naples – Maestro Edward Gardner, director of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, has publicly apologized to the artists of the Chorus of the Teatro di San Carlo in Naples for some statements made to the British newspaper The Times.
I wish to offer my sincere apologies to the Chorus of the Teatro di San Carlo in Naples for my recent comments. I have deep respect and sincere esteem for the Chorus and each of its members. Gardner stated in a note released by the Teatro San Carlo.
The conductor's apology comes after the controversy sparked by a statement he made in which he described the San Carlo choir as "composed of two rival mafia families."
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"The news had surprised me a lot," he explained. Edward Gardner. "However, it was absolutely not my intention to suggest that the Choir had ties to the Mafia, and I am happy to retract this statement."
Gardner then underlined his admiration for the choir, recalling last summer's collaboration in Ravello for the performance of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony: "It was a meaningful experience that highlighted the talent, dedication, and hard work of this artistic team."
"I deeply regret if my words implied otherwise," the maestro concluded, "because I have personally witnessed the professionalism and excellence of this choir. I want to reiterate how much I appreciate and respect each of its members."
Comments (2)
Maestro Gardner's apology is an important signal to the artistic community. Even if there were misunderstandings, I believe it is essential to maintain mutual respect between artists and the public. Every situation has its context.
It's strange how certain statements can cause so much noise. Perhaps clearer communication in advance would have avoided controversy. Let's hope these episodes do not affect future artistic collaborations.