In short: The Melbourne Symphony Orchestra admits it made an error when it pulled pianist Jayson Gillham from an upcoming performance over comments he made about the killing of journalists in Gaza.
The MSO said it made an “error” in cancelling his performance, but maintains their concert was not an appropriate place to express personal views.
What’s next? The orchestra’s August 15 concert, which was expected to go ahead without Mr Gillham, has now been cancelled due to security issues but the MSO wants to reschedule the performance.
The MSO is objectively wrong if they claim to believe that, not least because of what they literally chose to be on the programme of this very concert. (And their previous political statements vis à vis Ukraine, and the mere fact that they are a purveyor of the arts).
It’s their concert. Aren’t they the authority on whether it’s a platform for the personal views of the guy engaged to make pretty noises?