Klarinet Archive - Posting 000214.txt from 2009/11

From: Joseph Wakeling <joseph.wakeling@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Wagner in Israel
Date: Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:34:41 -0500

Dan Leeson wrote:
> Joe,
>
> If I am correct, that was Barenboim with an imported orchestra, perhaps
> the Berlin or Vienna Philharmonic. It was not with the IPO. There
> aren't any issues with visiting orchestras. But many members of the IPO
> will not participate in Wagner performances.
>
> Two questions: what is the Israel festival, and what was the reaction to
> the performance by Barenboim?

It was the Berlin Staatskapelle. I don't know anything about the Israel
Festival, but I know that Barenboim had tried to put Wagner on the
programme and had backed down after protests from various groups
including the Israeli government. Then in the concert hall, for an
encore, he proposed performing the Wagner and asked for a debate among
the audience to accept or reject the idea. In the end about 50 people
left and the rest (about 1000) remained and applauded loudly at the end.

Here's an article by Barenboim on the subject:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2002/sep/06/classicalmusicandopera.artsfeatures

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