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A world class conductor who stepped back from his role after slapping a solo singer at an event last summer has set up a new choir.
Sir John Eliot Gardiner, 81, assaulted a musician at the Berlioz festival in France last August, with his representatives claiming he was suffering from “extreme heat” at the time.
The conductor is said to have slapped British bass singer William Thomas, 29, after he exited the stage the wrong way.
Announcing his new choir on Monday, Sir John, who apologised profusely for his actions, thanked the music world for giving him a warm reception after last summer’s incident saw him take an extended break to reflect upon what he had done.
The new group will be called the Constellation Choir and Constellation Orchestra, with Classical Music reporting that the choir will perform several shows in December.
In a statement cited by the Guardian, Sir John said: “Since my return to conducting in Montpellier in July, I have been deeply moved and inspired by the extremely warm and enthusiastic messages of support I have received from musicians, presenters and promoters alike.
“More than anything else, I am so excited and grateful to be working with such exceptional musicians once again, not forgetting the important lessons I have learnt and needed to learn from the past year.”
Following the assault last summer, the conductor said there were “no excuses” for his actions.
Sir John apologised for his actions in a statement that read: “I make no excuses for my behaviour and have apologised 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 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.”
The conductor subsequently pulled out of all of his planned performances, including the BBC Proms.
News of the comeback follows the Monteverdi Choir & Orchestras’ (MCO) board’s decision not to continue employing the musician as their leader and director in July.
Sir John said in an additional statement: “I made clear when I parted company with the MCO earlier this summer that I was not in any sense ready to retire. I said I would be focusing on a rich variety of new projects.”
The Independent has reached out to a representative for Sir John for comment.
