The dismissal of conductor Ligia Amadio from the Minas Gerais Symphony Orchestra has sparked outrage in Brazil's and international classical music communities, following her criticism of musicians' low salaries. The episode, occurring weeks after a public hearing, prompted protests, manifestos, and a petition with over 13,000 signatures.
The recent dismissal of conductor Ligia Amadio from the Minas Gerais Symphony Orchestra (OSMG) has triggered outraged reactions from conductors, instrumentalists, composers, and musicians' associations. Amadio's departure from her roles as principal conductor and music director has mobilized Brazil's classical repertoire scene in recent weeks, with social media manifestos signed by figures from Latin America and Europe, such as Argentina's National Symphony Orchestra and Spain's Women in Music Association.
On Saturday (31), Carnival revelers in Belo Horizonte protested the dismissal with a banner from the Sagrada Profana bloc: "Viva Ligia Amadio". The OSMG, turning 50 in 2026, is one of the main artistic bodies at the Palácio das Artes, managed by the Clóvis Salgado Foundation (FCS), linked to Minas Gerais' State Secretariat of Culture and Tourism.
The crisis erupted on November 26, 2025, during a public hearing at the Minas Gerais Legislative Assembly on musicians' labor precarity. Amadio stated that the OSMG is "the worst-paid orchestra in this country" and that a rank-and-file musician earns R$ 1,618.72 per month. Just over a month later, in January 2026, her contract was terminated.
The FCS explained the contract end as a programming readjustment for the Palácio das Artes' 55th anniversary, inviting historical conductors. On salaries, the foundation reported an average of R$ 7,868.91 in January 2026, with a minimum of R$ 4,289.10 and maximum of R$ 14,356.88, denying Amadio's figure. However, pay stubs accessed by the report show one instrumentalist receiving just over R$ 1,600 as a 2025 13th salary, another R$ 4,500 in December 2025, and a third R$ 7,000.
Amadio declined to comment. Conductor Roberto Minczuk of the São Paulo Municipal Symphony Orchestra said: "Maestra Lígia Amadio needs to be respected, valued, and recognized for her excellent work leading the Minas Gerais Symphony Orchestra (...) A serious and committed conductor's contract should never end like this". Others, like Carlos Prazeres, Cinthia Alireti, and Tiago Flores, lamented the decision. Instrumentalists such as Elisa Fukuda and Emmanuele Baldini criticized the removal. Pianist Jean Louis Steuerman wrote: "It is simply regrettable that, for defending her musicians' interests (...), she was removed from the orchestra". The Women in Music Association demanded restoration of Amadio's professional dignity. A petition for her return had over 13,000 signatures by February 3, 2026.
