Classical Music News

Monteverdi Choir and Orchestras Show 96% Support for John Eliot Gardiner's Return

August 2, 2024

2 MIN READ

Members of the Monteverdi Choir and Orchestras say they are "deeply saddened" by Gardiner's departure

Sir John Eliot Gardiner recently stepped down from the Monteverdi Choir and Orchestras, ensembles he founded and has led for sixty years. He made the same decision regarding his other ensembles, the English Baroque Soloists and the Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique.

The decision came after Gardiner allegedly hit a singer backstage following a performance of Berlioz’s opera Les Troyens at the Festival Berlioz in La Côte-Saint-André, France in 2023. After the incident, Gardiner stepped back from the organization and has not performed with them since.

However, a recent poll indicated that members of the ensembles were "deeply saddened" by the decision and had "no desire to sever ties", according to a report by The Standard.

The musicians carried out a poll of 173 members (the organization employs 360 in total), and they say 96% of those polled were in favor of Gardiner being reinstated.

“Contrary to recent suggestions in the press, we have no desire to sever ties with John Eliot," the statement reads. "A recent poll of 173 of our musicians indicated 96% support for his return to conducting us. We fully uphold MCO’s commitment to hold John Eliot accountable for his actions and create a safe working environment, but we believe that this was achievable with him returning to the helm."

"Our board and management have successfully allowed us to fulfill engagements over a challenging 11 months and we are grateful to the conductors who have worked with us during that period."

"However, we regret that, while implementing policy designed to ensure dignity and respect in the workplace, the views of musicians were ignored. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to John Eliot for over 60 years of extraordinary music-making and look forward to many more opportunities to join him in the future."