A spokesperson for the Bachfest Leipzig confirmed that John Eliot Gardiner had “behaved in a transgressive manner towards a female colleague.” According to the woman’s account to Kultur, the British conductor tried to “tuck his certificate of thanks into the neckline of my T-shirt” after a concert on June 16. The festival hands out such certificates instead of the usual bouquets.
A spokesperson for Gardiner told the broadcaster that the 83-year-old conductor had “in a moment of genuine confusion” briefly placed the roll under the woman’s necklace. He is said to have apologized and admitted his misconduct.
On Tuesday, the Bach Archive, which organizes the festival, announced that it would reconsider the invitation already extended to Gardiner for the 2027 Bachfest. The Bach Archive and its festival “must at all times be a safe working environment for all employees.”
In August 2023, John Eliot Gardiner slapped a singer after an opera performance. In interviews, he later announced that he would undergo therapy and spoke of an opportunity to work on himself. He only returned to the conductor’s podium for public appearances after a break of more than 15 months.
Source: www.faz.net
