Franz Welser-Möst resigned his position as general music director of the Vienna State Opera today in a letter he wrote to VSO artistic director Dominique Meyer.
W-M cited “irreconcilable differences of opinion regarding the company’s artistic planning and profile, which could not be resolved despite several meetings,” as his reasoning. His resignation is effective immediately.
As a result, Welser-Möst withdrew from all productions and performances for the 2014-15 season.
“Of course a huge loss, and this step causes me personal pain, too, because I value Franz Welser-Möst very much as an artist and conductor,” said Meyer in a statement on Welser-Möst’s resignation.
According to Slipped Disc, the abrupt leave could be related to a dispute over forthcoming production of the Richard Strauss ballet Josephslegende.
Specifically, the reasoning for the resignation came out of a meeting held yesterday. During which, Welser-Möst expressed how he felt about the company’s medium-term future. His thoughts and feelings varied drastically from the administration. Both parties decided to “sleep on the subject” and return today with a plan of action.
However, this morning Welser-Möst had a change of heart and submitted his resignation to Meyer.
In 2007, Welser-Möst came on, making the first Austrian to hold the position since Karajan half a century before. Unfortunately, following suit with the past, he left very shorty as did Mahler in 1907 after ten years, Karajan in 1964 after seven, Maazel in 1984 after two and Abbado in 1991 after five years.
As a Classicalite favorite, we hope nothing but the best for both Welser-Möst and the Vienna State Opera in all of their future endeavors.
In memoriam, watch below the classic Turandot performance from 1983 featuring Eva Marton, José Carreras, Katia Ricciarelli, the Vienna State Opera and the late Lorin Maazel.
