Sold-Out Recital Canceled When Air Canada Denies Paid Seat to Sheku Kanneh-Mason’s Cello

December 15, 2024, 3:02 PM · Air Canada’s refusal to accommodate a cello with a paid seat forced the list-minute cancellation of a sold-out recital Wednesday in Toronto by the popular British brother-and-sister musicians Isata and Sheku Kanneh-Mason.

Pianist Isata and cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason. Photo by James Hole.

Sheku Kanneh-Mason was traveling with the 1700 Goffriller cello that he plays on indefinite loan, an instrument valued at more than $3.2 million. He and his sister, pianist Isata are two of seven musical siblings from Nottingham, England who play the piano, cello or violin. Their recital, a stop on a North American tour that concludes tonight with an appearance at Carnegie Hall, featured sonatas by…