Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra removed two musicians due to troubling comments

The Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra has removed two musicians following a month-long investigation into "deeply troubling comments posted online."

The investigation, conducted in accordance with the orchestra's code of conduct and in collaboration with the Calgary Musicians Association union, concluded with a third-party investigator's findings prompting action.

While the orchestra's CEO, Marc Stevens, confirmed the removal of two members, Slavko Popovic and Alex Klein, the specific comments that initiated the investigation were not disclosed. However, screenshots circulating on social media depicted a user identified as Popovic using slurs against women and Black people.

The orchestra's decision comes amidst a broader conversation about behavior in the classical music scene, with comparisons drawn to similar incidents involving other orchestras. The New York Philharmonic, for instance, dismissed two musicians in 2018 over misconduct allegations, igniting global discussions on the topic.

While Stevens did not elaborate on the reasons for the musicians' removal, he emphasized the necessity of the action for the organization's morale, safety, and health.