This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
I received this note from Cathy Reese Newton, our classical music reviewer:
Roberto Minczuk, Conductor and Artistic Director of the Brazilian Symphony Orchestra, formally canceled his engagement as guest conductor for the Utah Symphony Monday.
American Maestro Gerard Schwartz, Music Director of the Seattle Symphony Orchestra, will take his place as conductor of the Utah Symphony this weekend, April 15 and 16. Schwartz has graciously agreed to retain three of the four works previously announced for the program, including Richard Strauss' "Also sprach Zarathustra," Johann Strauss Jr.'s "On the Beautiful Blue Danube" and Mozart's Violin Concerto No. 3 with soloist Karen Gomyo. Korngold's "Much Ado About Nothing" will be replaced by Wagner's "Flying Dutchman Overture."Minczuk has canceled his engagement this week in order to take care of pressing matters with his own orchestra in Brazil. "The Board and the President of the Orquestra Simfonica Brasileira have requested that Roberto Minczuk remain in Brazil this week to attend to urgent matters related to the crisis with the musicians of the orchestra," said Minczuk's manager in a statement to the Utah Symphony and its supporters. "I hope that you… graciously understand the urgency of this matter for Roberto and can accept his very last-minute cancelation for his concerts with you this week."
The crisis referred to was Minczuk's decision to have all of the musicians of the Brazilian Symphony Orchestra re-audition for their spots in the orchestra, and after that he dismissed more than 40 members. It has led to musicians' outrage all over the globe.