Russian pianist’s performances cancelled in Montreal as invasion of Ukraine intensifies
Global News
The Orchestre symphonique de Montréal was supposed to welcome Alexander Malofeev on stage, but said it would be 'inappropriate' to receive him during Russia's siege of Ukraine.
Montreal’s symphony orchestra has cancelled the appearances of a classical pianist from Russia this month, saying it would be “inappropriate” to receive him on stage as Ukraine’s population is under siege by the Russian army.
The Orchestre symphonique de Montréal (OSM) was supposed to welcome Alexander Malofeev for three shows on March 9, 10 and 13.
“This heartbreaking decision was not taken lightly and is absolutely circumstantial,” the organization said in a statement on Wednesday.
The decision to withdraw Moscow-born Malofeev from the programming comes as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine intensifies. Thousands of people are thought to have been killed, both civilians and soldiers, in two weeks of fighting since Russian President Vladimir Putin’s forces invaded.
The United Nations estimates that about two million Ukrainians have fled their country, the biggest exodus of refugees in Europe since the end of the Second World War.
The escalating war against Ukraine led the orchestra to believe that the 20-year-old pianist’s presence would “not allow the OSM to fulfill its essential mission to ‘convey the universal message that music unites peoples and cultures in a spirit of peace, fellowship, and human solidarity.'”
“We felt that, on the contrary, it would contribute to increasing tensions within our community.”
The orchestra explained that it hopes to welcome the Russian musician in the future, adding that it has had “excellent collaboration” with Malofeev to date.
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