Zubin Mehta plans peace concert in Kashmir, but sparks controversy

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Above: A 2008 dress rehearsal of “Tristan and Isolde” by LA Opera with John Treleaven, right, as Tristan and Linda Wilson as Isolde in Act 3.

Designed by David Hockney, the colorful staging of Wagner’s masterpiece became a signature production of the young company. Other memorable productions created by the company include this season’s “Il Foscari”; “Grendel,” directed by Julie Taymor; and Herbert Ross’ traditional “La Boheme.” (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

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Appointed in 2003 as the company’s first music director, Nagano brought a consistent orchestral excellence to the company. He left L.A. Opera in 2006 and was succeeded by James Conlon, who has led the Paris National Opera among other European companies and who continues as music director. (Johannes Simon / Getty Images)

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The company staged its first-ever production of Wagner’s “Ring” cycle operas starting in 2009. The productions, directed by Achim Freyer, came with a price tag of $31 million and proved to be critically divisive and controversial. (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

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In 2009, L.A. Opera received an emergency loan of $14 million from the county to address financial difficulties that stemmed from the weak economy and the expensive “Ring” cycle production. L.A. Opera repaid the loan in full in December 2012. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

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Los Angeles Opera announced in June 2013 it would be $7 million richer thanks to a new gift from billionaire Eli Broad and his wife, Edythe.

The gift, being made through the couple’s charitable organization, the Broad Foundation, represents the largest sum they have given to L.A. Opera. ( Jay L. Clendenin / Los Angeles Times)

By Deborah Vankin

Sept. 6, 2013 12:30 PM PT

Activist groups in Kashmir are protesting a concert meant to promote peace in the disputed area along the de facto border between India and Pakistan.

Internationally famous Indian-born conductor Zubin Mehta, 77, is to direct the Bavarian State Orchestra at the Shalimar Mughal Garden on Saturday, in an open-air performance of works by Beethoven and Tchaikovsky, among others.

Opponents of the concert, however, say such an event should be put off until Kashmir, a mostly Muslim territory, is free from predominantly Hindu India. One hard-liner has called for a general strike on the day of the concert.

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Some also complain that the guest list of about 1,500 invited government officials, Bollywood stars and sports figures is too exclusive and that few regular citizens have been invited.

Others have accused the event organizers of being insensitive to the violent realities of Kashmir.

“Kashmir is a disputed region under a military occupation,” Khurram Parvez, leader of the human rights group Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society, told the Washington Post. “We don’t understand how anyone could disregard the reality of Kashmir.”

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Parvez said he is putting together a separate, free concert in a municipal park, also planned for Saturday, featuring a range of music that will include Kashmiri folk songs and rap, as well as poetry recitals, photography exhibits and performance art.

However, some fear that security forces will move to shut down the rival concert.

Organizers of classical concert, including Mehta and the German Embassy, say their event was meant to be inclusive and be a “gesture of respect,” the Post reported.

Mehta, who served as music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic from 1962 to 1978, said he has long wanted to do a peace-promoting concert that would bring together Muslims and Hindus in the disputed region.

As of Friday, the Germany Embassy said there were no plans to cancel the concert, the Post reported.

“Let the music speak for itself,” Mehta said.

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Twitter: @debvankin