War in Ukraine. In Toulouse, the delicate position of the Russian conductor of the National Capitol Orchestra
By Anthony Assemat
Published on
The war in Ukraine has resulted in a strong outpouring of solidarity in Toulouse in recent days. Sunday February 27, 2022, a large gathering of around 2000 people place du Capitole was held and the initiatives of local authorities as well as individuals and associations are multiplying to come to the aid of refugees. Or, more symbolically, support this country invaded by Russian tanks with, for example, Ukrainian flags displayed on the facade of the Capitol or the illumination of the most emblematic building of the Pink City in yellow and blue colors.
Tugan Sokhiev had been extended in 2021
But what do the Russians in Toulouse think? In the Pink City, the most famous compatriot of the country led by Vladimir Putin is called Tugan Sokhiev. Since 2008, the latter has directed the highly reputed Orchester national du Capitole (ONCT), which promotes Toulouse around the world through the quality of the concerts and the musicians who make it up. He was to leave the management of the Toulouse phalanx in 2021 but Toulouse Métropole then extended his contract by one year. He is due to retire at the end of the season, in June 2022.
On Wednesday March 2, 2022, the mayor of the city, Jean-Luc Moudenc, sent a letter to the Russian conductor to “ask him to speak to Toulouse residents about the current situation. He knows that we are regularly questioned, especially as a twin town of Kiev, by the press, spectators, musicians on his vision of the news”.
A great Russian chef deprogrammed at La Scala in Milan
A long-awaited position prize because extreme tension reigns in the world of ballets and the elite of classical music. Monday February 28, 2022, the famous Milan Scala strong decision making by withdrawing the Russian conductor Valery Gergiev from his program. A far from trivial choice: the general manager of the Mariinsky Theater in St. Petersburg is indeed considered close to Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin. Gergiev had been urged by the town hall of Milan and the management of La Scala to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine, but the Russian maestro had not followed up…
A French broadcast in Moscow
Another thunderclap: the distribution of Frenchman Laurent Hilaire, director of the ballet troupe of the Stanislavski Theater in Moscow and former star of the Paris Opera. A choice assumed “in view of the geopolitical situation”. Laurent Hilaire Was the second Frenchman to lead a ballet troupe in Russia, almost 150 years after Marius Petipa.
Tugan Sokhiev’s position is all the more uncomfortable since he also wears the role of musical director of the Moscow Bolshoi Theater, a prominent symbol of Russian culture. But the Bolshoi, like the Mariinsky Theatre, is above all a state theatre, financed by the Russian president.
Concerts held so far
As for the concerts, it’s for the moment status quo. The Russian conductor still wishes to conduct the concerts on Friday March 18 and 25, 2022 at the Halle aux Grains.
“He has let us know his intention, at this stage, to be present for the concerts on March 18 and 25 at the Halle aux grains”.
The first date revisited Shostakovich’s “Symphony No. 7”which “symbolizes the sacrifice and abnegation of an entire nation and then became a symbol of resistance to Nazi tyranny”, specifies the ONCT in the description of the evening.
The second symphony concert should normally pay homage to Debussy and Stravinsky with “Voice of the Sirens”.
happy hour around the “Violin Concerto in A minor” by Glazounov, scheduled for Saturday April 30, 2022, still at the Halle aux Grains, is also maintained for the moment. Only “Potemkin”, which was to be held on Saturday March 12, 2022 in the Place Dupuy performance hall, has been cancelled. A decision that has “no relation” to the Russian-Ukrainian crisis, it is argued on the side of the National Orchestra of the Capitol.
The Metropolis withdraws from the Franco-Russian Musicales
Finally, the Franco-Russian Musicales, a cultural event launched in Toulouse in 2019 and which had celebrated its third edition in 2021 – in digital – will take a hit in the wing since the town hall of Toulouse and Toulouse Métropole have announced their withdrawal. And therefore, consequently, that of the Toulouse orchestra. Tugan Sokhiev was the artistic director of this event which had brandished by extending the “dialogue” and the “cultural exchanges” between France and Russia.
Opera in the cinema: Bolshoi broadcasts postponed to Gaumont
Tuesday March 1, 2022, the Pathé Live group announced the report “in certain countries including France” of the broadcast of “Swan Lake” in its cinemas.
“Art and culture are impacted by the current geopolitical context. We remain committed to our collaboration with the Bolshoi Theatre, its artists, its dancers and all the passionate people who have been involved in this program for 12 years.
After consultation with our partners around the world, the decision has been made to postpone the broadcast of Swan Lake to a later date”, indicates Pathé Live on its social networks.
The Gaumont Wilson Toulouse and Labège cinemas are affected by this decision.
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