Te Kanawa Steps on Maori Toes
Soprano Kiri Te Kanawa did not make friends in the Maori community after an interview that appeared in Melbourne’s Sun Herald in late February. Despite the fact that she is a native New Zealander and half Maori, Te Kanawa said that the Maori are a lazy and prideless people. Officials in New Zealand, many of whom are Maori, are up in arms about the statement, saying that Te Kanawa has had “a privileged life” and that she “does not have any understanding about the Maori and its culture.” In response, Te Kanawa stated that she does not withdraw her comment; she spends about four months out of the year in New Zealand and is very familiar with the cultural plight of her native land.
New NEA Chairman
The National Endowment for the Arts has announced President Bush’s selection, Dana Gioia, as the ninth chairman for the organization. Gioia follows Michael Hammond, who passed away a year ago after only a week as chairman. Gioia is a California-based writer currently completing a book of literary essays and an opera libretto. His four-year term as chairman began in March.
Restructuring Imminent for Opera in Berlin
The financial near-crisis in Berlin has reached a possible solution: The three opera houses in Berlin (the Staatsoper, the Deutsche Oper, and the Komische Oper) all need money and renovations, and are all in debt. The city has to cut its own deficit and is considering slicing the annual opera budget from $123 million to $112.5 million, which would eliminate 220 jobs (10% of the opera workforce). To accomplish this, the government proposes uniting the three houses’ costume and set crews/workshops and shrinking down the three dance companies to one. The orchestras would be reduced by 18 players, and the chorus by five singers. The three companies would be known as the Berlin Opera Foundation. The plan is not possible, however, without an annual extra $13 million from the federal government.
Opera Reality TV
In classical music’s version of American Idol, Operatunity, two housewife sopranos were given the chance to star in a production of Rigoletto at English National Opera’s London Coliseum. Jane Gilchrist, 37, played Gilda in the first half of the production while Denise Leigh, 31, took over the role for the second half, which was particularly remarkable because Leigh has been blind since birth.
Ben Heppner Back Onstage
After a 14-month sabbatical, Ben Heppner is healthy, and as of Feb 10 is accepting operatic engagements again. Some say something is still missing, and Heppner agrees: about 90 pounds. His voice returned last spring about two weeks after he stopped taking a high blood pressure medication. Once the medication was gone, the 6’3, 47-year-old tenor instigated a new diet and exercise regime to rid himself of the high blood pressure. Heppner wants people to know that “opera singers don’t need big bodies to have big voices.”
Bastille Under Scrutiny
In February, the French newspaper Le Monde reported that the Bastille Theater might be forced to close for one year due to hazardous working conditions. This would indeed deal a harsh blow to Paris Opera if they were forced to hold productions only at the Palais Garnier. Because the Palais Garnier would be shared space, productions would have to be cancelled and/or rescheduled. The Bastille Theater has suffered a plethora of problems, from faulty stage equipment and toxic chemicals to harassment of staff members. The Minister of Culture has to decide whether to mandate the closing of the Bastille for one year or require that gradual repairs be made over the next three years. The Paris Opera has already set aside 12 million Euros for the upcoming repairs.
Sumi Jo Disappears from Lucia
The day before the last performance of Lucia at Sydney Opera, soprano Sumi Jo skipped town, apparently for medical reasons. Both Sydney Opera’s executive director and Sumi Jo’s manager discovered her departure after the hotel informed them that she had cancelled her reservation. Sumi Jo’s understudy went on for the last performance.
Oslo Breaks Ground for New Opera House
In September 2008, Norway will cut the tape on a new $500 million opera house. The ground breaking for the new structure was held in February. The opera house will be built on a harbor, will include underwater roads to improve traffic flow, and will feature 1,350 seats in the main theater and 400 seats in a neighboring theater.
Tulsa Philharmonic to Merge with Tulsa Opera
A new proposal to merge Tulsa’s orchestra and opera companies will allow the city to maintain a full-time orchestra, which currently holds a $1 million debt. The new combined organization will not be responsible for this debt, but the two companies’ operating costs will be combined.
Nadine Conner, 96, Dies
Soprano Nadine Conner passed away on March 1st in a Los Angeles convalescent home; she was 96. Ms. Conner debuted at the Met in 1941 as Pamina in The Magic Flute. She performed there over 249 times over the span of 18 seasons.
Fedora Barbieri, 83, Dies
Mezzo-soprano Fedora Barbieri passed away on March 4th. The native Italian singer made her debut in 1940 at the Florence Opera. After a fruitful career singing at La Scala, the Met and Covent Garden, she returned to the stage in Florence in November 2000 at the age of 80 to commemorate the 60th anniversary of her debut, singing role of Mamma Lucia in Mascagni’s Cavalleria rusticana.
Opera Australia Appoints New Music Director
After the sudden removal of Simone Young from the position of music director of Opera Australia, the company has announced the appointment of Richard Hickox as the new music director.
