In Wednesday’s (5/14) WBEZ (Chicago), Courtney Kueppers writes, “After performing in Chicago in February, the esteemed German violinist Christian Tetzlaff decided: He’s not coming back to the United States…. That boycott will include a show that was scheduled for Chicago in October, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra announced Tuesday. Tetzlaff [said] the canceled shows are due to anger over actions taken by the Trump administration … A growing wave of performers … have canceled shows in the States, either in protest of President Donald Trump’s policies or due to fear that they could be stopped or detained at the border amid confusing changes to immigration and visa practices…. The disruption in the international talent pipeline portends real headaches for American orchestras and performance venues, which regularly rely on international superstars. Not only do these touring players drive ticket sales as guest performers, but in the classical world, international musicians also often fill permanent seats of ensembles. ‘If the visa process remains difficult or unpredictable, orchestras may find it harder to secure top-tier talent from abroad …,’ said Charlotte Lee, who runs New York’s Primo Artists … As the busy summer season nears, entities like the Grant Park Music Festival and Ravinia Festival are also watching the shifting landscape closely.”
