John Eliot Gardiner Steps Down From Monteverdi Choir and Orchestra

Following his assault allegation last year, the conductor Sir John Eliot Gardiner has announced that he will not return to his post with the Monteverdi Choir and Orchestra. Gardiner is alleged to have punched the bass William Thomas while backstage during a performance of Les Troyens.

The update: This week, the conductor Sir John Eliot Gardiner announced that he will not return as leader and artistic director of the Monteverdi Choir and Orchestra. Gardiner’s departure follows allegations that he hit the singer William Thomas while backstage during a performance of Les Troyens. Thomas reportedly exited to the wrong side of the stage, inciting a violent temper tantrum from the illustrious conductor. Gardiner claims to have undergone extensive therapy and counseling since the incident eleven months ago. The conductor has also withdrawn from performances at the BBC Proms.

Catch-up: The 81-year-old conductor John Eliot Gardiner founded the Monteverdi Choir and Orchestra (MCO) in 1964. Following his incident with William Thomas, the MCO considered the possibility of a rehabilitation process as Gardiner received treatment for anger management. However, negotiations between Gardiner and the board reportedly became turbulent, causing the board to lose patience in Gardiner. The MCO plans to announce new projects and conductors for the orchestra at the end of the summer.

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Sara Schabas

Sara Schabas is a Dora-nominated soprano, writer and yoga teacher. She has performed and created leading roles with companies including Vancouver Opera, Pacific Opera Victoria, the Dayton Opera, and Aspen Opera, and is a former member of Barbara Hannigan’s Equilibrium Young Artists. Currently based in Montreal, she is a doctoral student at McGill University — where she recently received the Wirth Vocal Prize — and editor of Art Song Canada magazine.