There’s no reason to read anything political into this, but the Lithuanian soprano Asmik Grigorian has cancelled a week with the Cleveland Orchestra this month, ‘because of personal reasons’.
Here’s the official statement:
The Cleveland Orchestra announced programming and guest artist changes for its performances on March 13, 14, and 15 at Severance Music Center, and March 18 at Carnegie Hall.
Music Director Franz Welser-Möst will conduct Beethoven’s triumphant Symphony No. 5 and Leonore Overture No. 3, an ode to freedom taken from his only opera, Fidelio.
Unfortunately, soprano Asmik Grigorian had to withdraw from the concerts because of personal reasons. We look forward to welcoming her next season in Cleveland and with us at Carnegie Hall.
“This program change has given us a chance to say something important about our world today,” said Welser-Möst. “As people fight for freedom everywhere, these pieces tell that same human story. Beethoven’s Fifth shows us the journey from darkness to light. Janáček’s From the House of the Dead reveals how human dignity survives even in the most desolate of circumstances. And the Leonore Overture is, to me, simply the greatest music about freedom ever written. These works together create a profound statement that I believe will resonate deeply with our audiences in both Cleveland and New York.”
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