Daniel Barenboim Cancels 2023 North American Tour

Barenboim has had to step away from leading the Staatskapelle Berlin in several North American cities due to health reasons

Early this year, Daniel Barenboim, stepped down from his position as the general music director of the Berlin State Opera. That followed his decision in October 2022 to step back from performing after being diagnosed with a serious neurological condition.

The most recent news comes in the cancellation of his upcoming tour with the Staatskapelle Berlin.

“It is with great regret that I need to withdraw from the Staatskapelle Berlin’s upcoming concert tour to North America and Canada," Barenboim writes. "I was very much looking forward to returning to this tour, but my health simply does not allow me to undertake the strenuous transatlantic travel and the many domestic trips required for this tour. I am thankful for everyone’s understanding and good wishes.”

As a result, conductor Giedrė Šlekytė will lead the ensemble in Toronto at the Royal Conservatory's Koerner Hall on November 25 and 26, 2023.

Jakub Hrůša will replace the conductor on November 28 in Chicago at the city's Symphony Center.

Finally, Yannick Nézet-Séguin will step in for Barenboim in New York on November 30 and December 1, 2023, at Carnegie Hall for an all Brahms program.