Liepāja orchestra declines Rufus Wainwright concert; director denies homophobia claims
The Liepāja Symphony Orchestra will not take part in a concert by Canadian singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright, planned for Liepāja's year as a European Capital of Culture in 2027. Its director, Uldis Lipskis, denies the decision was driven by homophobia.
The Liepāja Symphony Orchestra has declined to take part in a concert by Canadian singer and composer Rufus Wainwright, one of the most anticipated events of Liepāja's year as a European Capital of Culture in 2027. As a result, the "Lielais dzintars" concert hall will have to assemble a separate festival orchestra for the performance.
Orchestra director Uldis Lipskis, who represents the National Alliance party, explained the refusal to the programme "Kultūršoks". According to him, the local orchestra already has too heavy a workload. He also said that some of Wainwright's songs have "vulgar" lyrics.
At the same time, Lipskis rejected accusations that the orchestra picks artists on homophobic grounds. In his words, such motives were not behind the decision.
The concert is among the most anticipated events of Liepāja's cultural capital programme, so the question of who will play alongside the artist matters for preparations. The source text does not say when the concert will take place or what ensemble will be formed for it.
