Statement from the Bach Archive in Leipzig

Statement on 31 August 2026

The Executive Board of the Leipzig Bach Archive and the Artistic Director of Bachfest Leipzig have decided, with the knowledge of the Board of Trustees of the Leipzig Bach Archive Foundation, to go ahead with the closing concert planned for Bachfest 2027, featuring Sir John Eliot Gardiner and The Constellation Orchestra & Choir:

We reached this decision after careful consideration: the fact that a member of staff at our festival had to endure inappropriate behaviour from an artist has deeply disturbed us and many others, and compels us to critically review our own structures and procedures. We offered the colleague concerned support and assistance following the incident.

In assessing the incident, we have not limited ourselves to a single perspective, but have instead sought independent expert opinions from various specialist fields. A criminal law report, following an examination of the available video footage, concludes that there is no evidence of a criminal offence. An examination under employment law finds no culpable conduct on the part of the Bachfest towards the employee. A psychological assessment confirms that the situation could well have been experienced by the colleague concerned as a breach of boundaries, and that this experience must be taken seriously.

We do not see these differing findings as contradictory. Rather, they demonstrate that the responsibility of a cultural institution extends beyond the question of whether a particular act was a criminal offence or whether legal obligations were breached. We also have a responsibility to take our staff’s perspectives seriously, to ensure their protection, and to draw lessons from conflicts for our own structures.

It is our responsibility to assess such an incident carefully and on the basis of the information available to us. The criminal investigation is not yet complete. Sir John Eliot Gardiner sought to clarify the matter personally immediately after the incident and offered his apologies both in person and in writing.

At the same time, we received numerous letters from our audience, the performing ensembles, our patrons and sponsors, and – last but not least – our team, passionately calling for either Gardiner’s performance to go ahead or, conversely, for it to be cancelled. We understand many of the views expressed – however irreconcilable they may seem – and have taken them into account in our deliberations.

Having weighed up all the factors, we have concluded that the incident does not, at this stage, justify cancelling the concert, which has been planned for several years. For the time being, no new artistic projects with Sir John Eliot Gardiner will be agreed upon beyond 2027. Should a new assessment be carried out on the basis of the work of the judicial authorities, we will also reconsider the decision regarding the closing concert in 2027.

Equally important to us is that the Bachfest is taking action that goes beyond this specific case. We are currently drawing up a binding code of conduct for artists, staff and other contributors, and will develop a festival-wide awareness programme with clear points of contact and reporting channels. Our internal procedures for artist support and the rules governing applause will also be reviewed and made more strictly regulated.

A festival bears responsibility for the art it enables – and for the people who make that art possible – both on stage and behind the scenes. We aim to do justice to both with this decision.

Statement by the Chair of the Foundation Board, Lord Mayor Burkhard Jung:

„As Chair of the Bach Archive’s Board of Trustees, I welcome what I consider to be the carefully considered decision by the Bach Archive’s Executive Board and the Bachfest’s artistic director to invite Sir Eliot Gardiner to return as conductor at next year’s Bachfest. The measures to protect all staff, artists and guests involved in the Bachfest – which the Bach Archive has already taken and will continue to take in response to the incident – are very clear.

I consider it reasonable and appropriate, given the current circumstances, to give Sir John Eliot Gardiner the opportunity to conduct the concert by The Constellation Orchestra & Choir at Bachfest 2027, which has already been firmly scheduled. Of course, this is conditional upon the criminal investigation into the incident not resulting in a conviction and upon Gardiner continuing to stand by, without reservation, the immediate apology he offered for his behaviour towards a member of the Bachfest staff.“

Statement on 21 June 2026

On 16 June, at the end of a concert as part of the Bachfest, an incident occurred in which a conductor behaved inappropriately towards a member of our events team. The situation took place whilst the audience was applauding in the gallery of St Thomas’s Church. Once the incident came to light, discussions were held with the person concerned and psychological support was offered. The conductor has apologised to her and acknowledged his misconduct.
In a team meeting called at short notice, Director Peter Wollny and Artistic Director Michael Maul identified and condemned the misconduct. The Board will assess the incident with due care once the Bach Festival has concluded and will put in place further measures to ensure a safe working environment.