Back in his nest at the Opéra de Lyon, Serge Dorny has strongly contested the official line on his premature dismissal from the Semperoper Dresden earlier today. He points the finger of blame directly at Christian Thielemann, Chief Conductor of the Staatskapelle Dresden. It is perhaps telling that I can't find a photo of the two of them together.
In a statement partially reproduced in Le Figaro, Dorny attributes the "distressing situation" to "a lack of transparency and accuracy in the information provided" prior to his appointment. "If I'd had a clear understanding of the nature and scope of the powers of everyone involved, I would have turned down the job," he said.
He went on to explain that "despite repeated requests from the summer of 2013 on," he only "discovered post-appointment, while preparing future seasons, that some powers essential to the proper execution of the position of Intendant ... had been delegated to the Chief Conductor," and therefore both had "identical powers in certain areas, which could lead to paralysis of action."
He had asked his employer, the Saxon State Arts Minister, "to resolve the situation," since November, but remained without "any concrete response."
"Christian Thielemann did not want to work together, but only to preserve the independence of the Staatskapelle at the expense of the overall activities of the Semperoper," Dorny complains. (It should be pointed out that Thielemann, as his job title suggests, works for the orchestra rather than the opera house.)
"The plans I developed ... I couldn't carry out against Christian Thielemann's wishes, or even without him at all, and even less without the understanding and support of those who hold the pursestrings," said Dorny. (Other sources suggest that the main bone of contention was a Ring cycle.)
"The biggest loser is the institution itself, " Dorny concluded.
*UPDATE* - below is Dorny's letter in full. The Die Zeit article he cites to demonstrate the "arrogance" of the Staatskapelle is here:
O please! A disgruntled paper-shuffler's nose is out of joint because, God forbid, an actual musician has seized the effective reins of power in an opera house.
"The biggest loser is the institution itself"
Get over yourself.
Posted by: SJT | 22 February 2014 at 12:08 AM
Love it ! You summarize it so well !
Posted by: EricB | 22 February 2014 at 02:36 PM
It's actually VERY funny to read under Dorny's pen about Thielemann's "arrogance and hegemony", coming from a man who some years ago kicked Ivan Fischer from the Opera de Lyon because he couldn't envision the smallest idea of power sharing.
Dorny will have to grasp the idea that the dictatorial days he has been enjoying in Lyon over the last 10 years are finally over, and that a good slap on the face is sometimes a necessary response to an extraordinary ego.
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Intermezzo replies - It's not entirely clear, but I think Dorny is talking about the arrogance of the orchestra as a whole, not just Thielemann. The article he cites is about the Staatskapelle rather than its conductor.
Posted by: EricB | 22 February 2014 at 02:58 PM
I don't know the specifics of this case, but I've worked with Dorny, and he was great to work with - huge amounts of enthusiasm and passion - as well as being a very good administrator and boss.
Posted by: Will | 24 February 2014 at 10:23 AM
You've worked WITH or UNDER Dorny? (or IN : Serge, get OUT of this avatar !!!)
Posted by: EricB | 03 March 2014 at 07:29 PM