Player axed in diversity drive slams ‘cruel blow’

A MUSICIAN dropped by an opera company in its drive to “increase diversity” has accused the group of “vandalism”.

English Touring Opera’s decision to drop 14 musicians for its spring tour – all of whom were white – sent shockwaves through the music industry and made headlines in France and Germany.

Luke Strevens, 63, inset, a flautist who has performed with ETO and its earlier incarnations since 1983, described the decision as a “very, very cruel blow”.

He said the best way to boost the diversity of orchestras is to ensure free music lessons are available for all children – not to remove talented and experienced musicians.

He said: “Our ethnicity is not our fault. We are who we are. If you really want diversity in classical music you have to offer free music lessons to everybody to identify talent, regardless of ethnicity or social advantage, that’s the real key.”

The Musicians’ Union said the “unexpected and brutal decision” was “absolutely not about diversity” and equated to “almost half the orchestra losing their roles”.

Mr Strevens said: “There is no possible justification for it on artistic grounds.you can’t play around with people’s lives like that.”

The musicians were told in a letter that ETO has “prioritised increased diversity in the orchestra... in line with the firm guidance of the Arts Council”.

But Mr Strevens compared the changes to an “act of vandalism”, which had caused an “enormous amount of sadness”.

He said during the pandemic musicians sold instruments and took out loans, and had looked forward to the spring tour and the income it would provide.

“It’s not only cruel and unfair,” he said. “It’s going to damage English Touring Opera. It’s irresponsible and reckless.”

However, a spokeswoman for Arts Council England said it “did not instruct English Touring Opera to send this letter to staff”.

She continued: “The funding criteria under which Arts Council England distributes public money include the requirement that organisations have in place equal opportunities policies and act at all times in compliance with relevant equality legislation.” The ETO was invited to comment.