Next meeting

Brucknerhaus affair: new step towards clarification

The Linz Brucknerhaus, a landmark for the people of Linz(Bild: Dieter Kuhl, Dieter Kühl)

The Brucknerhaus has been without an artistic director since the resignation of Artistic Director Dietmar Kerschbaum. At a meeting scheduled for today, the LIVA Supervisory Board will tackle the next "construction site" from the Kerschbaum era. What hovers over everything: the autumn program with the Klangwolke must be finalized soon.

How long can a concert hall be without an artistic director? As reported, LIVA board director and Brucknerhaus boss Dietmar Kerschbaum was dismissed by the LIVA supervisory board on March 15 following allegations of questionable self-dealing. In an initial expert opinion drawn up by the Beurle law firm, some of the compliance allegations were refuted.

Second meeting since the release
A return of Kerschbaum nevertheless seems unlikely, as the Mayor of Linz, Klaus Luger, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, has signaled. The LIVA Supervisory Board is meeting today from 9.30 a.m. - eleven weeks earlier than a meeting would have taken place under normal circumstances. The contract with a German artist agency, concluded during the Kerschbaum era, is on the agenda.

Contract with artist agency on the agenda
René Esterbauer, the new commercial director, has been instructed to examine "the possibility of terminating the contract". And there are hopes for prospects, as Esterbauer is currently also busy with the final planning of the Bruckner Festival.

Is everything blocked by the release of the previous Management Board? "No, we as LIVA are fully capable of doing business and acting with myself and two authorized signatories," said Esterbauer in the "Krone" interview.

Planning for fall still underway
The 2024/25 season program will be presented on 23 April. The Linzer Klangwolke is scheduled to take place on September 7. Who will stage the big outdoor spectacle in Anton Bruckner's anniversary year is also still unknown.