A defamation lawsuit was brought against Edward Gardner, the main conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, for remarks he made regarding the choir members at the Teatro San Carlo in Naples.
During a recent concert at the venue, Gardner told the Times last month: “The chorus is made up of two rival Mafia families – who after one performance put each other in A&E.”
He expressed his desire to “sincerely apologise to the members of the chorus of the San Carlo Opera House” in a statement released by the opera house.
Gardner clarified: “I was told just before I arrived in Naples that a public altercation between two chorus members had taken place outside the theater, leading to one person being admitted to the hospital.
