Liepāja Symphony Orchestra Declines to Take Part in Rufus Wainwright Concert
The Liepāja Symphony Orchestra will not perform at the concert of Canadian singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright planned for Liepāja's year as European Capital of Culture 2027. Orchestra director Uldis Lipskis denies the decision is linked to 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 programme as European Capital of Culture 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 reasons 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 of homophobia. He maintains that the orchestra does not choose artists on homophobic grounds.
The source gives no further details about the concert date, venue or the make-up of the festival orchestra. It also does not say who made the homophobia allegations or in what form.
