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🇫🇷 France /Culture & Society

Queen tribute concert canceled by Orange mayor; producer files lawsuit

From Le Figaro · () French

Translated from French, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources In the courts
  • The producer of a Queen tribute concert has filed a legal challenge after the new mayor of Orange, France, canceled the event.
  • Mayor Jean-Dominique Artaud cited financial reasons, including a 300,000 euro expense for road repairs, to justify the cancellation.
  • The producer argues the town must still pay a cancellation fee and highlights the significant travel and accommodation costs incurred by over 600 amateur choristers.

The producer of a Queen tribute concert, "Queen Forever," has taken legal action against the new mayor of Orange, France, after the show was abruptly canceled. David Hardit, who runs the DH management singing school, had organized the event for September 4 at the city's ancient theater, expecting nearly 1,000 amateur choristers from across France to participate.

It breaks my heart for all my students; it's not a question of money.

— David HarditExpressing his disappointment for the choristers affected by the cancellation.

Mayor Jean-Dominique Artaud, representing the National Rally party, justified the cancellation by citing urgent financial needs. He pointed to a 300,000 euro expense required to repair a road blocked by a rockfall for months, stating he acted "like a responsible father" in making this "budgetary arbitration."

I acted 'like a responsible father' by making this 'budgetary arbitration.'

— Jean-Dominique ArtaudJustifying the cancellation due to the town's financial situation.

However, Hardit disputes the mayor's reasoning, noting that the contract signed with the previous administration includes a cancellation fee that the town will have to pay regardless. He expressed his dismay for the choristers, many of whom had already booked hotels, trains, and buses, incurring significant expenses for what was meant to be a "musical adventure."

More than 600 amateur choristers from all over France had already organized their travel: hotel reservations in Orange, train tickets, bus rentals, and other expenses incurred to participate in this musical adventure.

— David HarditHighlighting the significant logistical and financial impact on participants.

Hardit emphasized the event's dual artistic and human dimensions, lamenting the financial and logistical disruption for the more than 600 amateur singers who had organized their travel. He even offered to stage the performance for free, struggling to understand the new municipality's motivations. The administrative court of Nîmes is set to hear the case on July 27.

The contract between the former mayor and DH management amounted to 41,450 euros. The municipality will have to pay this sum in case of cancellation anyway, as stipulated by the contract.

— David HarditPointing out the financial implications of the cancellation as per the contract.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Le Figaro in French. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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