Berlin (AFP)
The Israeli-Argentine conductor Daniel Barenboim has had his five-year contract extended at the head of the Berlin Opera House, the city's authorities announced on Tuesday, despite accusations of authoritarianism from musicians.
"I took the decision not to separate from Daniel Barenboim, we are a big majority to want to continue working with Daniel Barenboim," said Klaus Lederer, Cultural Affairs Officer at the Berlin Senate, at a conference joint press with the world-renowned conductor.
After 28 years at the helm of the Berlin Orchestra, Daniel Barenboim, 76, said he was "very honored" to be able to continue his commitments and reaffirmed his commitment to the Opera.
His contract, which was originally scheduled to end in 2022, is extended until 2027. "I do not know if you thought it would last for so many years, I told the management and I tell them I'll stay as long as I can. "
Last February, three former employees of the opera accused the musical director of authoritarianism.
One of them had mentioned a depression following his behavior. At the time, Daniel Barenboim had denied in the main reproach a campaign aimed, according to him, not to prolong his office.
According to Mr Lederer, the accusations of abuse of power could not be proven by the courts. And "everyone involved has accepted the challenge of improving their collaboration, which was decisive for me," he added.
Daniel Barenboim returned to the role of a conductor: "It's a big responsibility (...) I have to be the lung that has to help the collective to breathe."
The musician has elevated the Staatsoper Berlin to a global rank since his arrival in 1992, shortly after the reunification of Germany. He founded his Barenboim-Said academy in 2012, which trains young musicians mainly from the Middle East.
? 2019 AFP