Credit: Klaus Gigga

Peter Theiler, the Intendant of the Semperoper Dresden, has canceled the planned rehearsal for Strauss’ “Ein Heldenleben” due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic concerns.

Per the sources from the German press, Chief Conductor Christian Thielemann and the orchestra board of the Staatskapelle Dresden felt that their work was hindered.

“You do not believe how disappointed I am that an orchestra like the Staatskapelle is not allowed to play and that we have made no more efforts to make something possible,” said Christian Thielemann.

In an interview with the German Press Agency, Theiler criticized the Staatskapelle’s lack of insight.

“A rehearsal with 100 musicians on stage is simply not advisable at the moment in view of the corona pandemic,” explained Theiler.

The Semperoper’s Intendant announced this decision to the Chief Conductor at the beginning of January, when the German federal state of Saxony issued a new protection ordinance in view of the dramatically high number of infections. Theiler’s suggestion at the time was that it would be better to dedicate time to smaller projects.

“There was no understanding, so I canceled the rehearsal. After all, as the director, I have the responsibility for the lives of my employees,” concluded Peter Theiler.