‘Music can’t be silenced,’ protesters cry in backing soloist
They came with signs: “Music can’t be silenced,” “Keep the music separate from politics” and “Toronto Symphony, let Valentina play!” Each of the dozen or so protesters wore a Canadian flag. Some taped their mouths shut.
“She shouldn’t be discriminated against for her political views,” said Vlad Alexeyenko, a Ukrainian studying at the University of Toronto. “She should be allowed to play for her audience.”
Roy Thomson Hall was half-empty Wednesday night for what was supposed to be the first night in a soldout two-night engagement by Ukranian-born pianist Valentina Lisitsa.
Wednesday night’s protesters — an eclectic group of Russians, Ukrainians and free-speech advocates, organized via Facebook — congregated outside Roy Thomson Hall. Most didn’t have tickets.
“In Canada we have democracy? We don’t,” an agitated Anna Radojevic said outside the concert hall. “This is a slap in the face from a country that I chose to call home.”
Originally from Bosnia, Radojevic was one of the few protesters who had been looking forward to seeing Lisitsa play. “She’s an artist. How can art live without freedom?”
TSO chief executive Jeff Melanson, who regularly introduces concerts and thanks sponsors before performances, made no appearance before the night’s concert. Melanson has been with the TSO since last autumn.
Lisitsa had planned to perform a free solo concert at a downtown Toronto church Wednesday night in protest over the TSO decision, but that was cancelled.
With only Mahler’s Fifth Symphony being performed on Wednesday — a fraction of the original program — ticket-holders were offered refunds if they chose not to attend. Those who did show up were given free tickets to an upcoming event of their choice. The symphony was conducted by Jukka-Pekka Saraste of Finland, a former TSO music director.
“If the TSO had kept her, I wouldn’t be here,” Marion Raycheba said from her balcony seat before the concert. “Hate speech must not be tolerated, and it should not be confused with freedom of speech.”
Seated nearby, Linda Wells was a bit more ambivalent.
“I’m having trouble getting revved up about this,” she said, shrugging. “I’m here to enjoy the music.”
Scott Bradshaw, a local guitarist and former Roy Thomson Hall usher, bought a last-minute ticket for the concert.
“I think it’s very unfair,” Bradshaw said of Lisitsa being dropped from the bill because of her political views. Still, he was glad to get a second concert ticket out of the deal.
“This is the kind of luck I’ve had lately!” he said with a grin. Then his face dropped. “But I’m sympathetic.”