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A benefit concert planned in support of Ukraine was canceled in Vienna on Monday amid concerns over the Russian-based ensemble MusicAeterna, led by conductor Teodor Currentzis and backed by a state bank in Russia.
Organized by the Konzerthaus in Vienna, one of Austria’s leading halls, the concert will take place on Tuesday and will take place in St. Petersburg and partially financed by VTB Bank, one of Russia’s largest financial institutions. The United States and other western countries have recently imposed sanctions on the bank for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Vienna Konzerthaus said it canceled the concert after Vasyl Khymynets, Ukraine’s ambassador to Austria, expressed concerns about the participation of Russian artists at an event that would benefit Ukraine. The founder of the ensemble, Mr. Currentzis, born in Athens, is a charismatic conductor. built A huge following in Russia and abroad.
Matthias Naske, general manager and artistic director of the hall, said: “The Vienna Konzerthaus was dedicated to St. Petersburg-based orchestra cannot ignore the political dimension of its performance,” he said. In a statement. “We understand and share the despair over war crimes in Ukraine and unequivocally condemn this aggression.”
Konzerthaus said that MusicAeterna will suspend ticket sales for future shows until the band provides an independent source of funding. But he also said he would allow MusicAeterna to hold a separate concert scheduled for Monday night. (The ensemble has already performed in the hall on Sunday.)
Mr. Khymynets and the Ukrainian foreign ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Cancellation of charity concert comes amid tensions between Russia and the west reflect in the performing arts. Several high-profile Russian artists loss Global engagements have begun in recent weeks due to Russian President Vladimir V. Putin’s ties to his government.
musicAeterna, famous came under scrutiny for his intense electric performances and ties to VTB Bank, which helped finance some of his tours and recording projects.
Mr. Currentzis called for peace in Ukraine in a statement released last month by the SWR Symphony Orchestra in Germany, of which he is chief conductor, but did not directly criticize the Russian government or Mr Putin.
“Teodor Currentzis and members of the SWR Symphony Orchestra openly support the common call for peace and reconciliation” expression I said.
The orchestra said it was aware of MusicAeterna’s relationship with VTB Bank, but continued to defend Mr. Currentzis. “From today’s point of view, this is certainly problematic, but it has been around longer,” the statement said, citing the bank’s support for MusicAeterna.
This benefit concert Works by Mozart, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Shostakovich and others would be featured in Vienna.
MusicAeterna will be performing in Germany, Austria and France in the coming weeks. Mr. Currentzis is scheduled to lead the ensemble in Bartok’s production of “Bluebeard’s Castle” at the Salzburg Festival this summer, a production paired with German composer Carl Orff’s “De temporum fine comoedia”.
The Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, Germany, said on Monday it has no plans to cancel a number of MusicAeterna’s series deals this week.
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