Franz Xaver Ohnesorg, the general manager of the Berlin Philharmonic, has resigned from his post after a year, Deutsche Presse-Agentur reports. He steps down on 1 January 2003.
In a statement jointly signed by Ohnesorg, the board of the orchestra and newly installed chief conductor Simon Rattle, the Philharmonic said that the reasons for Ohnesorg's departure were of a "personal nature," and that "the parties have agreed to release no information" about his motives. According to the statement, Ohnesorg will remain an advisor to the orchestra until his contract expires in 2006.
Before coming to Berlin in September 2001, Ohnesorg had a short and controversial tenure as executive director of New York's Carnegie Hall, during which several senior staff members resigned, some openly complaining that his management style was autocratic.
Further details to follow.
— Ben Mattison
"Franz Xaver Ohnesorg
gibt Intendanz der Berliner Philharmoniker auf"
Deutsche Presse-Agentur -
8 October 2002
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