Suspension and banning of the Hanover Opera, this is how the scandal surrounding Marco Goecke temporarily ends for the ballet director. He had smeared dog feces on an FAZ editor’s face after a devastating review.
After smearing dog feces on the face of the FAZ dance critic during the opening break on Saturday, the ballet director of the Hanover Opera has been suspended by his employer. “Ballet director Marco Goecke, with his impulsive reaction […] violated all of the Hanover State Opera’s principles of conduct,” reads a statement from the opera. The 50-year-old is therefore suspended with immediate effect.
Goecke will also be banned from entering the facility until further notice in order to protect the ballet ensemble and state theater from further damage. The ballet director was asked to apologize extensively over the next few days and explain to the theater management. Then you will be informed about the next steps. “The Hanover State Opera is an open place of respectful cooperation and exchange, and we are very sorry that our audience was disturbed by this incident,” said artistic director Laura Berman.
Furthermore, following the canine feces attack, the police are now also investigating the ballet director. According to a police spokeswoman, this is the allegation of bodily harm and insult. The event reportedly took place on Saturday night during the first intermission of the evening premiere of the ballet “Faith – Love – Hope” in the foyer of the State Opera.
According to police, the 57-year-old critic appeared at a police station in central Hanover and filed a complaint. Investigations into the case are still “in their infancy”, the police spokeswoman said. Dog excrement was not safe. For investigators, testimonials are the focus. The interrogations have not yet begun.
(APA/DPA)