20. August 2024
Anna Netrebko and Yusif Eyvazov – until recently also a couple in private, will perform at Klassik am Dom in Linz on Friday. © APA/HELMUT FOHRINGER
Klassik am Dom is a real success story. Since 2011, world stars have been performing in Linz in a magnificent open-air setting, and the concert series has been certified as a Green Event since 2018.
This year, Zucchero, Die Fantastischen Vier and Diana Krall have already performed in Linz, among others. Finally, Anna Netrebko & Yusif Eyvazov performed in Linz on Friday, before Austro-popper Peter Cornelius will sing evergreens such as “Du entschuldige I kenn’ di” on Saturday.
Regarding the performance of Anna Netrebko & Yusif Eyvazov, the organizers have now been contacted by various Ukrainian associations with the request to cancel the concert planned for Friday.
Organizer Simon Ertl, Managing Director of SE Holding GmbH, responded to this by email and made it clear that the concert would take place as planned. He also explained the background and situation in this detailed email, which VOLKSBLATT has obtained.
Ertl emphasized, among other things, solidarity with the people of Ukraine, but at the same time also the unifying effect of music, long lead times in the organization of such concerts, he referred to existing contracts with a total of six international artists for this evening as well as the economic aspect, according to which a cancellation would threaten the existence of the agency.
The email in full:
“The events in Ukraine shock us deeply – both on a human and political level. We condemn the Russian war of aggression and nothing is further from our minds than trivialising the events.
Nevertheless, as organizers we are faced with the difficult situation of having to meet contractual obligations and liabilities while at the same time fully advocating that art and culture can have a positive influence as a unifying element.
Music has the unique ability to communicate and connect people across political and social boundaries. As cultural organizers, we see it as our task to promote this universal language and to highlight the unifying element of music, regardless of political, ethnic or religious background. In this case with Italian arias performed by Anna Netrebko, Yusuf Eyvazov, Daria Rybak, Jérôme Boutillier and Mattia Olivieri under the direction of Marco Boemi.
There will undoubtedly be five top-class singers on stage – from very different backgrounds and with very different personal stories. These artists were hired because of their extraordinary singing skills, not because of their (political) orientation. Together they form a musical unit that will hopefully touch many people. Cancelling the planned concert would silence this power of music.
It would also not be a purely social decision, but a far-reaching economic one. Concert engagements for artists in the classical sector are agreed years in advance – long before one can react to current events. The contracts concluded give rise to numerous financial obligations – towards agencies, artists and other service providers.
A cancellation – and the associated liabilities – would be economically unfeasible for a concert promoter of our size and would have far-reaching economic and existence-threatening consequences.
We understand your message and the reservations and are aware of the controversial discussions and polarity that accompany this concert. Our solidarity goes out to the victims of the war and we regret every additional day of suffering. The concert at the Cathedral Square will hopefully make a positive contribution and emphasize one thing again: the certainty that music can connect people as a universal language.”
Signed by Simon Ertl, Managing Director SE Holding GmbH.
