“Itzhak Perlman is the latest artist to cancel a North Carolina performance over the state’s controversial House Bill 2,” writes David Menconi in Tuesday’s (5/17) News & Observer (North Carolina). “One of the world’s greatest concert violinists, the 70-year-old Perlman was scheduled to play Raleigh’s Meymandi Concert Hall Wednesday night with the North Carolina Symphony. But he called off the show on Tuesday, releasing the statement below. … Perlman joins a list of artistic cancellations that includes Bruce Springsteen, Pearl Jam, Ringo Starr, Ani DiFranco, Demi Lovato, Boston and Cirque du Soleil, among others.” Perlman’s statement is as follows: “As my fans know, I have spent a lifetime advocating against discrimination towards those with physical disabilities and have been a vocal advocate for treating all people equally. As such, it is only after much deliberation that I have decided to cancel tomorrow’s concert in North Carolina as a stand against House Bill 2.” In announcing the cancellation, the North Carolina Symphony’s website states, “We are contacting patrons regarding their tickets. The North Carolina Symphony welcomes all people with our hearts and minds open and we are honored to share our music-making with everyone. The North Carolina Symphony will not perform on May 18 at Meymandi Concert Hall.”
Posted May 18, 2016
