It’s just like the punchline from a foul joke. Sister and brother classical music sensations Isata and Sheku Kanneh-Mason had been compelled to cancel their Toronto look final night time, December 11, after a sequence of airline mishaps scuttled their journey plans.
The London, UK based mostly siblings had been set to depart yesterday morning, nevertheless their unique flight was cancelled. One different flight was discovered with a timeline that may make it tight, however nonetheless possible to carry out at Koerner Corridor by 8 p.m.
The issue? The airline refused to provide them a 3rd seat to accommodate Sheku’s cello.
The Royal Conservatory tried to motive with the airline in query, however to no avail — even after approvals had been secured at varied ranges of the airline forms by cellphone, the gate agent merely determined to nix the concept on the final minute. The airline in query? Air Canada.
Air Canada & Cellos
It’s not the primary time musicians, and cello gamers particularly, have had points with Air Canada.
Again in 2015, Canada’s nationwide airline introduced an overhaul of its insurance policies on passengers who journey with carry-on devices.
Their present coverage on musical devices is considerably sophisticated. If they’ll match beneath the seat or into the overhead bin, they’re acceptable. The coverage particularly mentions that if violins, guitars or violas (solely) are barely bigger than the carry-on measurement necessities, and if house is out there, they might nonetheless be accommodated.
Cellos are usually not talked about, however the airline does have a coverage of permitting a 50% low cost for an additional seat bought for an instrument bigger than the carry-on pointers. Preparations, it stipulates, are to be made prematurely.
- LvT printed a information on the steps essential to get your cello on an Air Canada flight [HERE].
Postponed…
The recital has been postponed till June 3, 2025; discover particulars concerning the rescheduled live performance right here.
The Kanneh-Mason siblings issued an announcement.
“Expensive everybody,
We’re deeply unhappy to not be capable to carry out for you this night. We had extreme misfortune with the flights at the moment, together with a cancelled flight and denial of boarding with cello on one other.
We actually worth your entire help and are dedicated to coming to Toronto as quickly as attainable to share our music with you.
We’re so sorry to not be assembly you all this night as we had been actually wanting ahead to it!
With love,
Sheku and Isata Kanneh-Mason”
The recital, which might have featured a program of Mendelssohn, Fauré, Natalie Klouda (in a Canadian premiere), and Francis Poulenc, can be rescheduled.
Right here’s hoping there’s a cello-friendly airline on the market that may get them to town.
NB: The article has been amended to incorporate the main points of the rescheduled efficiency.
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Anya Wassenberg is a Toronto Metropolis Editor at Ludwig Van. She is an skilled freelance author, blogger and writing teacher.