Conductor Resigns from Concert After Punching Singer

A conductor has pulled out of the BBC Proms after punching and slapping a soloist for allegedly entering the stage incorrectly at the Berlioz festival in France. Sir John Eliot Gardiner(pictured above) assaulted singer William Thomas after an opera performance on Tuesday, according to reports.

Sources told the Slipped Disc classical music website the assault took place backstage on Tuesday, in the wings and out of sight of the audience, with claims Gardiner yelled at Thomas in front of the cast for leaving the podium on the wrong side, and slapped and punched him in the face.

Reportedly, following the performance, the conductor approached Thomas while the cast was rejoicing backstage. It is claimed that Gardiner walked up to the gathering, holding a glass of beer, and reportedly commented, "I'm tempted to pour this over your head,” according to a source.

When Thomas warned him not to do so, witnesses said Gardiner slapped the singer in the face and then punched him in the mouth. There was a “brief shouting battle” before Thomas left with colleagues, the Times reported.

Gardiner was conducting a performance of The Trojans, an opera by Hector Berlioz, with his Orchestre Révolutionnaire et Romantique in La Côte-Saint-André, south-east France, the composer’s birthplace and home to the annual festival.

A representative for Gardiner said the conductor was suffering from extreme heat in France and suspects a recent change in his medication may have provoked behavior he now regrets, Slipped Disc reported.

A BBC spokesperson said: “Sir John Eliot Gardiner has decided to withdraw from the performance of The Trojans at this year’s BBC Proms. We are grateful that Dinis Sousa will step in to conduct the performance on 3 September.”

In a statement, Gardiner apologized saying: “I make no excuses for my behavior and have apologized personally to Will Thomas, for whom I have the greatest respect. I do so again, and to the other artists, for the distress that this has caused.

“I have returned to the UK and have decided to withdraw from conducting all the remaining performances of Les Troyens. I wish Dinis Sousa and all the musicians great success for the remaining concerts on the tour. I know that physical violence is never acceptable and that musicians should always feel safe. I ask for your patience and understanding as I take time to reflect on my actions.”

According to a statement from Thomas’ agent, he “is looking forward to continuing the tour with performances in Salzburg, Versailles, Berlin and at the BBC Proms, and will not be making a statement at this time. All musicians deserve the right to practice their art in an environment free from abuse or physical harm.”

A Monteverdi Choir & Orchestras spokesperson said: “John Eliot Gardiner has decided not to return to conduct the remaining performances of the Monteverdi Choir & Orchestras’ tour of Berlioz’s Les Troyens. The upcoming concerts at Salzburg, Versailles, Berlin and the BBC Proms will be conducted by Dinis Sousa, MCO’s associate conductor, who has worked closely with John Eliot and the musicians throughout the rehearsal process.

“We continue to look into the events that occurred on Tuesday evening. Our values of respect and inclusivity are fundamental to us as a company and we take seriously the welfare of all our performers and employees.’’