Sir John Eliot Gardiner has announced that he will resign from his position with the Monteverdi Choir and Orchestras.

In a statement, he said, “After a long period of deep consideration and reflection, I have decided to step down as leader and Artistic Director of the Monteverdi Choir and Orchestras (MCO) with immediate effect. The MCO, which I founded in 1964, has been the proudest and most inspiring project of my life, and I have arrived at this decision with a heavy heart after six decades of remarkable collaborative achievement.”

He added, “I have done a great deal of soul searching since the deeply regrettable incident at the Festival Berlioz at La Côte-Saint-André last August and have apologised repeatedly and unreservedly for losing control in such an inappropriate fashion. I have undergone extensive therapy and other counselling over the past 11 months and have learned a great deal about myself and my past behaviour, but I have reached the conclusion that the best way forward for both myself and for the MCO is to accept that a clear change in our relationship is necessary now for the good of both parties. After extensive discussions with the MCO board, I, therefore, feel that in the interests of the institution and its richly talented players – many of whom I value as close personal friends – the time has come for us to go our separate ways.”

The statement concluded, “For the avoidance of doubt, I am not in any sense ready to retire. I will be focussing on a rich variety of other activities including guest conducting, recording, writing, creative and education projects (to which I am deeply committed) as part of a lighter, lower pressure schedule. I truly feel energised and excited about the future and fully intend to commit wholeheartedly to carrying on the work that I remain passionate about and which is forever part of my DNA. My profound thanks go to the musicians, singers, sponsors and patrons of the MCO for all of their dedication, creativity and generous support. It has been a magnificent journey.”

The news comes after Gardiner announced in February that he was extending his leave of absence and said, “I am extending my time away from public music-making until later in the year in the wake of last August’s incident – something for which I have accepted full responsibility and profoundly regret.” In August of 2023, Gardiner attacked bass William Thomas backstage during a performance of Berlioz’s “Les Troyens” because he exited the podium on the wrong side after the first part of the opera. The incident caused Gardiner to apologize publicly and cancel all public performances.