Canceled for Being Gay: A Man Targeted by Cancel Culture

In 1957, in Zurich, the internationally renowned Swiss composer Robert Oboussier was murdered by an 18-year-old sex worker. The killing not only cut his life short but also ushered in the disappearance of his work from public consciousness. After police investigations determined the crime occurred within the gay scene, a politically charged, media-fueled scandal erupted. Consequently, Oboussier as a person and his music slipped into obscurity for decades.

First-Ever Complete Catalog of Works Published

On the occasion of his 125th birthday, a comprehensive volume now for the first time explores the life and career of the composer. Renowned authors examine his musical output, his intellectual milieu, and the social climate of the era. A particular focus lies on the circumstances surrounding his murder and on the role of the media, which significantly contributed to Oboussier’s music going silent after 1957.
“Robert Oboussier: Contributions to a Hidden Opus” (Amazon affiliate link) has appeared as a bilingual book in German and French and gathers essays that approach his biography, his music, and the tragic afterlife of Oboussier from multiple perspectives. For the first time, his complete works catalog is published. Parallel to the publication, the first CD release featuring compositions from his oeuvre also appears.
The project is presented as a historically significant contribution to the rediscovery of a composer whose works shaped the period before, during and after World War II. At the same time, it makes visible how strongly societal prejudices and sensationalism can influence cultural memory. (dd/pm)