The repercussions of the volatile political crisis in Venezuela are being felt on Vancouver's arts scene.

The Vancouver Recital Society announced today that it is having to postpone a performance by that country's Simón Bolívar String Quartet.

It was scheduled early in the season, at the Vancouver Playhouse on September 17.  

Sadly, the situation in Venezuela, which worsened during last week’s election, has made it almost impossible for the quartet to make arrangements for its North American tour, as both the USA and Canada have withdrawn diplomatic staff and airlines have withdrawn services. 

In a press statement today, Alejandro Carreño, first violinist with the quartet, said: “This is a regrettable moment for us as Venezuelans, and a dark process of our history.  Artistically this tour was very important for the quartet, and that is why we want to let the presenters and public know how sorry we are about this situation, which is out of our control.  We hope to reschedule these concert dates where possible, so that we can return soon to these important places.  We are profoundly grateful for all the support we have received from our team and colleagues; their commitment and support is invaluable to us as artists.  We very much hope to be able to perform internationally as a quartet again in the near future.”

"Naturally, we’re very disappointed that we won’t be able to hear the Simón Bolívar String Quartet this season, however our primary concern is for the safety and wellbeing of the members of the quartet and indeed the people of Venezuela in these difficult times," added VRS artistic director Leila Getz in the statement. “We’ll be keeping in touch with quartet, and we very much hope to present them in a future season.”

Getz has selected acclaimed young The Verona Quartet as replacements on the date of the concert.  The program includes Josef Haydn's String Quartet in B flat Major, Op. 50, No. 1, Dmitri Shostakovich's String Quartet No. 7 in F-Sharp Minor, Op. 108, and Maurice Ravel's String Quartet in F Major.