(Credit: junmarkl.com)

German conductor Jun Märkl has canceled his performances with the Belgrade Philharmonic Orchestra on January 16 and January 17, 2020 according to the statement on the conductor’s personal Facebook webpage.

Märkl said in a statement that the disagreements erupted over contractual issues, and that he has made numerous efforts to find a compromise, but to no avail. “Now I am feeling the management at the Belgrade Philharmonic is trying to betray me, and there is absolutely no respect for artists and invited guests at this company,” stated Märkl.

Märkl therefore cancelled his guest appearances with the Belgrade Philharmonic and advised his colleagues not to engage with the company.

Jun Märkl is the former Chief Conductor at the MDR Sinfonierorchester, the former Music Director at the Orchestre National de Lyon, as well as the former General Music Director and Opera Director at the Nationaltheater Mannheim.

The program for Märkl’s guest appearances with the Belgrade Philharmonic was to include the overture to Rossini’s “Guillaume Tell,” Korngold’s Violin Concerto, and Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 4.