British conductor Sir John Eliot Gardiner is said to have slapped a singer who left the stage on the wrong side
Britain’s Proms conductor Sir John Eliot Gardiner has withdrawn from the BBC Proms after he was accused of “punching and punching” a member of his choir who left the stage on the wrong side.
During the incident, which is said to have happened on Tuesday (22 August) at the Berlioz Festival, 80-year-old Gardiner is said to have attacked 29-year-old William Thomas during a performance of Hector Berlioz’s opera ‘Les Troyens’.
The BBC is currently investigating the alleged incident ahead of Gardiner’s performance at the Royal Albert Hall on September 3.
Accordingly The timesA source from the scene said no arrangements had been made for entering or exiting the stage.
Gardiner reportedly confronted Thomas during a post-show celebration, saying, “I feel like throwing this away [beer] over your head
When Thomas warned him not to try anything, Gardiner reportedly punched him in the face and then punched him.
There was a “brief scream” and then Thomas left the room.
A representative from Gardiner said that disc prolapse Speaking to the classical music website, Gardiner explained that he suffered from the “extreme heat.” Temperatures in the French region hit 39C on Tuesday.
(BBC/Chris Christodoulou)
The rep also pointed out that recent adjustments to Gardiner’s medications “may have prompted behavior that he now regrets.”
Another source said that Gardiner felt the show didn’t go according to plan and it was “incredibly hot” during the performance.
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The classical music website also reported that Gardiner immediately left for London to see his doctor after the outbreak.
His appearance on Wednesday night (23 August) was reportedly handled by his assistant Dinis Sousa.
Gardiner is currently expected to continue conducting the Monteverdi Choir in Salzburg, Versailles, Berlin and at the BBC Proms in London.
The Independent has reached out to Gardiner representatives for comment.
In May of that year, Gardiner had been personally chosen by the king to conduct the first 20 minutes of the coronation music.