São Paulo State Symphony Fires Chief Conductor John Neschling

Neschling, who over eleven years raised the orchestra from provincial status to international prominence, was dismissed in a dispute with the orchestra’s chairman, former Brazilian president Fernando Henrique Cardoso, over the search for Neschling’s successor. Yan Pascal Tortelier will serve as interim chief conductor; Neschling will get a $500K buyout, and the musicians say they’re happy to see him go.