In Vladimir, the head of the culture department forbade the conductor to stand with his back to the audience

The head of the department of culture of the Vladimir regional administration, Vladimir Trubin, at a rehearsal of one of the musical events at the Palace of Culture and Art, was indignant that the conductor had his back to the audience, reports the local resource Trend 33, citing eyewitnesses.

Trubin “accepted” the cultural program of the upcoming important event and at some point loudly declared to the conductor and composer Artem Markin: “Why are you, Artem Eduardovich, standing in front of the hall? After all, the top officials of the region will listen to you.” After this, the official asked the conductor to turn his face to the audience and his back to the musicians.

Until the 19th century, conductors actually faced the audience during a concert, the note notes. The first person to turn to musicians was the German composer Richard Wagner, and since then it has become a tradition.