Anna Netrebko slammed for blackface Aida in Verona
Fellow soprano Angel Blue cancels her debut performance at the Arena in protest
The Arena di Verona has come under fire from the press and performers alike after Anna Netrebko sang the title role in its production of Verdi’s Aida wearing blackface make-up. Among those voicing their dissatisfaction at the Russian soprano’s appearance was African American soprano Angel Blue, who promptly cancelled her upcoming performances as Violetta in Verdi’s La traviata at the Italian venue.
Writing on Facebook after seeing pictures of Netrebko on Instagram, Blue described the use of blackface make-up as ‘a deeply misguided practice based on archaic theatrical traditions which have no place in modern society. It is offensive, humiliating and outright racist. Full stop.’ She then went on to say that, while she had been looking forward to making her debut at the 15,000-seat open-air Arena, ‘I cannot in good conscience associate myself with an institution which continues this practice.’
It is not the first time that Netrebko,
50, has darkened her skin to play the role of the eponymous Ethiopian princess
– she did likewise in the Metropolitan
Opera’s production of Verdi’s opera in 2018 and later defended the practice on Instagram. In this instance, she has not made further comment, but the Arena di Verona management has sought to justify its decision with an appeal to history.
‘The point is that as long as we do a historical Aida in the Arena, it is very difficult for us to change something,’ they told the Operawire website. ‘Everywhere in the world used to have what you call blackface. So as long as we have a historical production, it is very hard to change them because it means changing something that was designed that way. Somehow, the Arena di Verona is a theatrical museum.’
Built in 30 AD, the Arena has been staging opera on a regular basis since the first Arena di Verona Festival was launched in the summer of 1913 in honour of the centenary of Verdi’s birth – the historical production of Aida at the centre of this summer’s controversy dates from that year. As for Netrebko, who was not alone among the cast in utilising blackface make-up, the saga is just the latest in a year of increasing notoriety – she has also recently been denied permission to perform at the Schlossplatz Stuttgart in Germany in September for failing to distance herself sufficiently from Russian president Vladimir Putin.
‘The practice is based on traditions which have no place in modern society’
Motherly love
Glyndebourne is to host a residential course aimed at helping new mothers to return to the opera stage. Run by the charity SWAP’RA (Supporting Women and Parents in Opera), the course in February will provide sessions offering both physical and psychological assistance to those who might otherwise be reluctant to resume singing. ‘Many women struggle to return to singing work after having children,’ says mezzo Kitty Whately, SWAP’RA’S founder. ‘As a result, a huge amount of talent is lost from the opera industry every year.’
Box of delights
Mums and dads may also be interested to learn about Aurora and the Magical Toy Box,a ten-week programme devised by the Aurora Orchestra to introduce music to children of ages ranging from Nursery to Year 2 plus those with special educational needs. Provided digitally, the programme includes activities such as learning about instruments and creating and singing music.
Give me Baltimore
And who knows? One day, those children may grow up to be a leading conductor like Jonathon Heyward. The 29-year-old American has just been named as the next music director of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, a post he will begin in 2023. He follows in the footsteps of Marin Alsop, who led the ensemble with distinction from 2007 until last year.
Going swimmingly
Research in Italy appears to reveal that dolphins enjoy classical music. Published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science, the study showed that being played 20 minutes of music by the likes of Bach, Grieg and Debussy resulted in our finned friends showing positive behavioural traits such as swimming in sync for long periods.