US orchestra's N.Korean trip 'a disgrace': New York paper

0 Comments | AFP, February, 2008

NEW YORK (AFP) — The New York Philharmonic has run into criticism surrounding its landmark trip to North Korea later this month, with the city's leading tabloid labeling the Pyongyang concert "a disgrace."

"The New York Philharmonic was set to hand North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il a propaganda coup when it tours the tyrant's economically and morally destitute realms later this month," the paper wrote in a broadside editorial Tuesday.

"And then (musical director) Lorin Maazel opened his mouth -- and made things worse," it continued, criticizing the 77-year-old maestro for comments suggesting the United States had a less-than-perfect human rights record.

An official from the Philharmonic, which has already left the United States for the Asian tour that...