The Los Angeles Philharmonic has officially canceled the Seoul Chamber Music concert originally scheduled for June 10 at Walt Disney Concert Hall. The cancellation follows the imposition of a curfew in downtown Los Angeles.
The concert was set to feature the acclaimed Novus String Quartet alongside emerging South Korean musical talents, as part of the broader Seoul Festival — an event spotlighting South Korea’s growing cultural and musical influence in the United States.
In a message shared on social media, the LA Phil posted the announcement with a brief but poignant caption: “Stay safe, Los Angeles.” The cancellation prompted a strong reaction online, with many users in the comments suggesting a performance of Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 11 instead. This particular symphony, dedicated to the memory of those affected by the 1905 Russian Revolution, holds deep historical and emotional resonance, possibly echoing the current climate of unrest.
The curfew, which spans from 8 PM Tuesday night to 6 AM Wednesday morning, was announced by LA Mayor Karen Bass during a press conference on Tuesday. The measure aims to restore order following ongoing protests against recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids across the city.
In response to the federal government’s involvement, California Governor Gavin Newsom criticized former President Donald Trump’s decision to deploy military forces to the protests, calling it a “brazen abuse of power.” The state government has since taken legal action.
As reported by the Los Angeles Times, California Attorney General Rob Bonta, on behalf of Governor Newsom and the state, filed a lawsuit challenging Trump’s deployment of the National Guard. The suit alleges that the federal government’s actions violate the 10th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which restricts the scope of federal authority over state affairs.
Additionally, reports confirm that approximately 700 Marines were deployed to the Greater Los Angeles area on Tuesday. However, Air Force General Gregory Guillot clarified that these forces do not possess arrest powers.
The cancellation of the concert adds a cultural dimension to the wider political and social tension currently gripping the city, leaving audiences and artists alike in a state of uncertainty.
