The Tehran Symphony Orchestra could not perform, as planned, at the international competition in the capital of Iran because it has female members, the Symphony Orchestra announced today.
The orchestra was supposed to perform the Iranian national anthem, but the performance was canceled at the last minute, conductor Ali Rahbari said.
"Everything was ready and when we were about to start playing the national anthem, we were told that women are not allowed to be on stage," Rahbari said, adding that he felt very offended.
The conductor told the organizers that the whole orchestra would play or leave the concert hall, which the orchestra did.
"Why aren't women allowed to play their national anthem," asked the conductor.
Women, singers or musicians, do not have the right to perform on stage by themselves since the Islamic revolution in 1979, but they are theoretically allowed to play in an orchestra.
However, it happens that some orchestras with women cannot perform in some parts of Iran.
It is the first time that the Tehran Symphony Orchestra, the oldest orchestra in Iran, has been prevented from performing due to the presence of women.
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