A British conductor has apologised for likening singers at one of Italy’s leading opera houses to warring Mafia families.
Edward Gardner, who is principal conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, was threatened with a defamation action for his comments about chorus members at the Teatro San Carlo in Naples.
Speaking to the Times last month about a recent appearance at the venue, Gardner said: “The chorus is made up of two rival Mafia families – who after one performance put each other in A&E.”
In a statement issued by the opera house, he said he wanted to “sincerely apologise to the members of the chorus of the San Carlo Opera House”.
