The new mayor of Orange, Jean-Dominique Artaud, has decided to cancel the performance “Queen Forever,” scheduled for September 4 at the city’s historic theater. The producer says he has filed a lawsuit.
Published 07/19/2026 17:09.
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Aerial view of the ancient theater of Orange (Vaucluse). (MICHAEL RUNKEL / ROBERT HARDING RF)
The producer of the Queen tribute concert has announced that he has filed a legal appeal against the cancellation of the Queen tribute concert by the RN Orange City Hall in Vaucluse. An appeal was filed with the Nimes administrative court to ensure the concert took place in September as originally planned.
“My heart hurts for all my students, it’s not about the money.“Producer David Hardit, who runs the DH vocal school and was expected to bring about 1,000 singers to the stage, explained to AFP on Sunday. The hearing is due to take place on July 27, according to a press release sent out on Friday by an interested party.
The new mayor of Orange, Jean-Dominique Artaud, decided to cancel the performance he staged, “The Forever Queen,” which was scheduled to take place on September 4 at the historic theater. This concert, planned by the previous municipality and financed by the municipality, was to be offered to the public free of charge.
Show at the historic Orange Theatre. (FRUMM JOHN / HEMIS.FR)
When questioned in Provence, Jean-Dominique Artaud justified the cancellation of the event on financial grounds, pointing out that he had to incur expenses of 300,000 euros after a major rockfall that blocked a road in the city for several months. The mayor justified his decision by stating that he acted.”like a good father“as part of”budget arbitration“.
The contract negotiated between former far-right mayor Yann Bompard (Ligue du Sud), Mr Artaud’s predecessor, and DH management, consulted by AFP, amounted to €41,450. The municipality will in any case have to pay this amount in case of cancellation, as stipulated in the contract, emphasizes David Hardit, who says he is experiencing difficulties “to understand the motives“new municipality.
He claims to have “even offered to play on the show for free“.”Beyond its artistic dimensione, regrets David Hardit in a press release, this event represented a monumental human and economic project. More than 600 amateur choristers from all over France have already made their travel arrangements: hotel reservations in Orange, train tickets, bus rentals and other expenses incurred to participate in this musical adventure.“. AFP was unable to contact Orange Town Hall on Sunday.