Now the entire concert, which was due to take place at Melbourne Town Hall, has been canceled due to security concerns.
The MSO says they are trying to reschedule the performance.
In Sunday’s concert at Melbourne’s Iwaki Auditorium, Jason Gilham performed works ranging from Beethoven to Chopin.
According to the MSO, the witness was a last-minute addition.
„The killing of journalists is a war crime under international law and is done in an attempt to prevent war crimes from being documented and broadcast to the world,” Mr Gilham said before starting to play witness.
In an apology statement on Thursday, it said: „While the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra says a concert stage is not appropriate for political expression, we acknowledge Jason’s concerns for people in the Middle East and elsewhere.”
„We recognize the strength of all parties’ feelings on this matter, and we especially acknowledge the dedication and commitment shown by our musicians and staff this week.”
Mr Gilham accepted the MSO’s apology.
„I hold my relationship with the MSO, its players and visitors in the highest regard and look forward to our continued working relationship in the years to come,” he said in a statement.
Hamas-led gunmen have killed around 1,200 people in attacks on Israel.
That attack sparked the Israeli military offensive on Gaza and the current war.
According to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry, the Israeli campaign killed nearly 40,000 Palestinians.
At least 113 of them were journalists, according to the Group to Protect Journalists, an independent organization that promotes press freedom.
The MSO’s decision and their subsequent apology has created quite a stir on social media. Senior barrister Greg Barnes said the cancellation was „truly appalling”, adding that „art is often powerful because it is political”.
Arts critic and former Sydney Symphony Orchestra president Leo Schofield said of the MSO’s apology, “Not before time. I would love to hear how Gillham did a concert in Sydney. Here he gets a standing ovation from supporters who admire his courage as much as his talent.
The Israel-Gaza war has become a volatile political issue in Australia that all sides have tried to manage carefully.
As in countless other countries, there have been protests from both Jewish and Muslim communities, and sharp upsurges in Islamophobia and anti-Semitism.
„Totalny pionier w sieci. Specjalista od piwa niezależny. Ewangelista popkultury. Miłośnik muzyki. Nieprzepraszający przedsiębiorca”.