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The conductor Teodor Currentzis in July 2022

Photo: Barbara Gindl / APA / picture alliance

The director Milo Rau had planned two war-themed concerts for the Vienna Festival Weeks. In addition to the Ukrainian conductor Oksana Lyniv, the Russian-Greek conductor Teodor Currentzis was also scheduled to perform with his SWR Symphony Orchestra. But he has now been unloaded.

"In discussions over the last few days, it has become clear that presenting both concerts as part of the Vienna Festival is currently not feasible," the festival management announced on Monday.

Oksana Lyniv, who will conduct the requiem “Babyn Yar” by her compatriot Yevhen Stankovych on June 2nd, had previously expressed her negative opinion about Currentzis’ commitment. The Greek, who also has a Russian passport, has not yet publicly distanced himself from the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine.

»We respect Lyniv's wish not to be placed in a contextual context with Currentzis at the moment. Unfortunately, this meant that there was no alternative to our decision to cancel the planned concert under the direction of Teodor Currentzis, whom we value very much as an artist," said Rau. A performance of Benjamin Britten's “War Requiem” was planned for June 12th in the Burgtheater. According to the festival weeks, the two concerts were intended to address the question of responsibility and the limits of art as a utopian space during the festival weeks (May 17th to June 23rd).

Lyniv reacted with relief: "We are glad that the Wiener Festwochen have found a solution and are very pleased to finally be performing the Kaddish Requiem 'Babyn Jar' in Vienna." A current contemporary Ukrainian piece by one will also be included for the Vienna performance Student of the Kaddish Requiem "Babyn Jar" composer Yevhen Stankovych composed.

The SWR program director for culture, Anke Mai, regretted the cancellation. Nevertheless, she understood that Lyniv and the members of the Kyiv Symphony Orchestra would have wanted a public statement from Currentzis against the Russian war of aggression. "In view of the consequences that such a confession would have for Currentzis in Russia, we never asked him to do this," said Mai.

dpa/ada