British Conductor John Eliot Gardiner Back On Stage After a Slap In The Face

A year ago he slapped a singer, now his comeback is on the programme: British conductor John Eliot Gardiner will perform at the Festival de Radio France in Montpellier. A tour has also been announced.

John Eliot Gardiner is coming back. The British conductor will make his comeback at the Festival de Radio France in Montpellier on 16 July 2024. He will conduct the Orchestra Academy of the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France. Weber's ‘Oberon’ Overture, Beethoven's First Piano Concerto with soloist Piotr Anderszewski and Tchaikovsky's Second Symphony are on the programme.

In the summer of 2023, the 81-year-old conductor slapped a singer after a performance. After apologising, the conductor and early music specialist cancelled his appearances for a planned tour and at the Salzburg Festival. He also did not accept any further engagements for the time being. In August 2023, he also declared that he would seek professional help and begin therapy.