Ukrainian Oksana Lyniv succeeded in canceling the concert of a Russian conductor at the Vienna Festival

The Vienna Festival canceled the War Requiem concert by Greek conductor Teodor Currentzis, who has Russian citizenship. The reason was the refusal of Ukrainian conductor Oksana Lyniv to stand on the same stage with him, as culture cannot be outside of politics.

According to the website of the Vienna Festival, Currentzis did not condemn Russian aggression against Ukraine, but he was not forced to do so, as the organizers are concerned about his situation when he gets to Russia. The War Requiem performance was to take place on June 12 at the Vienna Burgtheater, but its cancellation will not have a major impact on the conductor's career, as he is going on a tour of Germany. However, the concert of the Kyiv Symphony Orchestra with Oksana Lyniv on June 2 with Kaddish Requiem "Babyn Yar" will take place, although the organizers planned to cancel it.

"As artistic director Milo Rau has emphasized at various points, the Kaddish Requiem is a centerpiece of the Vienna Festival 2024 program, which he would like to preserve. Therefore, after consultation with the SWR Symphony Orchestra, we have decided not to present the War Requiem under the baton of Teodor Currentzis. The Kaddish Requiem will take place as planned on June 2 at the Vienna Concert Hall," the organizers said.

Following the news of the refusal to cooperate with the Russian, Oksana Lyniv also commented on the event. In particular, her performance will also include a new contemporary Ukrainian work written by a student of the composer of Kaddish Requiem "Babyn Yar" Yevhen Stankovych.

"We are very pleased that the Vienna Festival has found a solution, and we are very happy that we can finally perform the Babyn Yar Kaddish Requiem in Vienna. All participants are looking forward to this special concert on June 2," said Oksana Lyniv.

In particular, Anke Mai , the program director of the SWR orchestra, expressed her condolences and hope to return to the festival "in more peaceful times." The organizers will cancel all purchased tickets and return the money to the audience who planned to have a good time while supporting Russian culture.

What we know about Teodor Currentzis:

• He studied conducting at the St. Petersburg State Conservatory in Russia with the support of the Alexander S. Onassis Foundation for Public Assistance.
• Since 2004, he has been working in Russia permanently, first as the chief conductor of the Novosibirsk Opera and Ballet Theater, and later as the musical director of the Perm Opera and Ballet Theater.
• Currentzis has not publicly condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine and is unlikely to do so, as his performance at the Vienna Festival was sponsored by the Russian bank VTB, which is currently under sanctions.

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