Maestro protests opera’s refusal to pay tribute to French victims

French maestro Frederic Chasli nixes show after Israeli Opera’s administration denied his request to speak in memory of the Paris terror victims and perform Hatikva.

By MAXIM REIDER
Frederic Chaslin (photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)
Frederic Chaslin
(photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)
French maestro Frederic Chaslin, who has conducted Israeli orchestras for more than 15 years, refused to perform Puccini’s La Rondine Saturday night after the Israeli Opera’s administration denied his request to speak in memory of the Paris terror victims and perform Hatikva.
“Tonight at the Tel Aviv Opera I wanted to speak 30 seconds and play Hatikva to commemorate the four Jewish innocents killed in Paris yesterday and of course the 12 people at Charlie. It was refused to me... As a result, of course, I refuse to conduct tonight,” the shocked artist, who is music director of the Jerusalem Symphony wrote in his Facebook status.
The Israeli Opera responded, saying it was “pained by tragedy and its aftermath and its heart is with the French nation and Jewish community,” explaining in its official statement that “for the 30 years that the opera has been in operation, it has insisted on maintaining its routine even on the painful days of dozens of terror attacks and during wars. This is the way of the opera – not to allow terror to win and disturb the routine of our lives.”
Chaslin, who is a conductor, pianist and composer told The Jerusalem Post, “We artists are not just entertainers.
Bringing two thousands people together in one hall gives an opportunity to commemorate the fallen and if the Israeli Opera does not find 30 seconds for this it is a shame.”