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The Royal Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, Netherlands, has reinstated one of two cancelled performances by the Jerusalem Quartet. It will take place on Saturday 18 May at 7pm.
A press release from the Concertgebouw states: ’The safety of staff, visitors and musicians at this concert will be safeguarded thanks to tightened security measures, adjusted visitor flow and an adjusted start time.’
Earlier this week, the venue cited safety concerns amid increased pro-Palestinian protest action in Amsterdam as the reason for cancelling the concerts, which were originally to be held on 16 and 18 May.
The decision was met by public outcry which launched a petition to reinstate the performances. The petition has garnered over 13,000 signatures, many from top international classical musicians.
’Anything less than permitting the Jerusalem Quartet to continue with its planned performances — and to provide them and the audience of the Concertgebouw with protection and support — amounts to pure moral cowardice,’ stated the petition.
’We call upon the management of the Concertgebouw to show strength of character in defending the concert platform as a realm for free expression of the sublime yearnings of the human spirit otherwise failed by words and actions that all too often lapse into meaningless, pseudo-moral binaries.’
General manager of the Concertgebouw Simon Reinink said: ’Every concert must be able to go ahead. The Concertgebouw fully supports its mission to connect and enrich everyone with sublime music, regardless of background, religion, culture or any distinction. We must continue to stand up for the free society we want to be. Every day.’
The concert is sold out but will be available to stream on the Concertgebouw website.
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