Statement concerning Ettore Pagano’s scheduled concerts at Music in PyeongChang

Music in PyeongChang wishes to provide a transparent account of the facts surrounding the uncertain participation of cellist Ettore Pagano in the concerts originally scheduled for July 30 and 31, 2026.

1. The Engagement

Music in PyeongChang concluded a formal engagement contract with the Italian cellist Ettore Pagano on April 13, 2026, for performances at the 2026 festival on July 30 and 31.

2. Developments Following the Competition

On May 30, 2026 — after this contract had already been signed — Mr. Pagano won First Prize in the cello category of the Queen Elisabeth Competition. Five days later, on June 5 (Korean time), his manager, Mr. Valerio Novara, informed the festival that the Competition's administration had provided the First Prize winner's required performance schedule, which included two tours in Korea in September and October 2026. Mr. Novara further explained that, under a convention between the Queen Elisabeth Competition and SBU Management in place since 2018, the laureate's tour in Korea is organized exclusively through SBU, and that the winner's first performance in Korea must take place within that tour. On this basis, he asked the festival to consider rescheduling or postponing Mr. Pagano's PyeongChang engagement to 2027. Mr. Novara also indicated that the festival was welcome to raise the matter directly with SBU Management.

3. The Festival's Response

By this time, the concerts had already been publicly announced through the festival's website and the press, and ticket sales were nearly complete. The festival contacted Ms. Sobang Yoo of SBU directly; she stated that she had no authority to decide the matter, which rested entirely with the Queen Elisabeth Competition. The festival's Artistic Director, Sung-Won Yang, then wrote to the Competition (Ms. Marie Vander Elst), who responded that this was a private contractual matter between SBU and the artist, in which the Competition could not intervene directly. The festival subsequently set out in detail, in writing, that the engagement had been concluded in good faith prior to the Competition results, and that no arrangement made afterward could annul a contract signed beforehand — but has received no response to date. The festival's office has also written twice to Mr. Pagano's manager requesting flight details, without any reply.

4. The Festival's Position

Music in PyeongChang holds that a contract concluded in good faith before a competition's results are known should be honoured regardless of any circumstances arising afterward. Ettore Pagano was invited and engaged in his own capacity as an artist — not as a Queen Elisabeth Competition laureate — and this engagement was agreed upon before the Competition took place.

5. Current Situation

Despite this, Mr. Pagano and his manager Mr. Valerio Novara, have not responded regarding the flight and rehearsal arrangements required for his appearance at the festival. Music in PyeongChang has therefore reached the point where it must notify the public of the uncertainty surrounding his participation, and will offer full, fee-free refunds to all ticket holders who wish them. The festival will ensure that its program continues without disruption, and will take all appropriate steps to prevent a recurrence of this situation in future.

Music in PyeongChang has long held the Queen Elisabeth Competition and its laureates in high regard, and hopes that its collaboration with the Competition and its winners will continue in the years ahead.