Renowned for his mastery of Baroque music, John Eliot Gardiner has spent decades at the forefront of classical performance. However, in 2023, his career took a controversial turn when he struck a singer during a production of Les Troyens in France. Following the incident, Gardiner issued an apology and withdrew from conducting, only to be disinvited permanently by the Monteverdi Choir & Orchestras, the ensembles he founded. Now, Gardiner is making a bold comeback with a new group, the Constellation Choir & Orchestra, reigniting his passion and reigniting comparisons to his former ensembles.
The tension between the old and new came to a head in Hamburg, Germany, this month, as the Monteverdi Choir & Orchestras and Gardiner’s Constellation Choir & Orchestra performed nearly identical programs at the Elbphilharmonie just a week apart. The overlapping repertoire offered a rare opportunity to compare the distinct approaches of these dueling ensembles. Critics and audiences noted striking differences in style and interpretation, underscoring the diverging paths of Gardiner and his original organization.
For longtime collaborators like flutist Marten Root, who has worked with Gardiner for over 35 years, the conductor’s return has been bittersweet. Root acknowledges Gardiner’s brilliance as a musician, despite the challenges of working under his intense leadership. Gardiner’s new venture signals a fresh chapter, both for himself and for the musicians who choose to follow him. While the fallout from his actions continues to shape his legacy, Gardiner’s ability to create compelling music remains undeniable, ensuring that his influence on the classical world will endure in this next act of his career.