Uproar at opera over heckling of young star
Man ‘in 70s’ is barred for life after booing 12-yearold performer making his debut at Covent Garden
‘We are appalled that a member of the audience behaved in this way. Steps have been taken to ensure he does not return’
‘Malakai is stellar and [brings] great acting and beautiful singing to the role’
DURING a delicate aria, little more than the rustle of a sweet wrapper might be expected above the rapt hush of an audience at the Royal Opera House.
But this respectful silence was shattered when an opera-goer shouted at a child singer making his debut.
During the opening night of Handel’s Alcina at the venue in Covent Garden, 12-year-old cast member Malakai M Bayoh stepped forward to begin singing an aria when he was greeted by booing from one man in the audience, who shouted “rubbish”.
The Royal Opera House (ROH) banned the heckler for life for his “appalling” behaviour, a punishment experts cannot recall being meted out in the recent history of the institution, with “steps taken” to ensure the audience member does not return.
Witnesses in the opera house said an audience member in the venue’s amphitheatre, described as “well over 70”, started to be disruptive during the second act of the show, when Bayoh began singing an aria in the child’s role of Oberto.
An opera-goer sitting close to the disruptive man said he had begun loudly “harrumphing” during the performance, before booing and saying: “This is awful, this isn’t singing.” He also said: “This is an opera house.” Audience members reported he yelled “rubbish” as those around him tried to silence him, before leaving during an interval.
He was spoken to directly by the ROH and issued with a ban, and it is understood the venue is now speaking with Bayoh’s family and school to ensure he is “fully supported”.
Bayoh continued his performance despite the heckling, and received a standing ovation in support of his solo, as well as widespread praise for his talent and bravery.
The ROH praised Bayoh and said he gave a “stellar performance”, adding: “Malakai is astonishingly talented – bringing great acting and beautiful singing to the role – a huge accomplishment for such a young singer.”
A spokesman said: “Unfortunately, the opening night featured an audience member who disrupted the show and the excellent performance by young singer Malakai M Bayoh.
“We are appalled that a member of the audience behaved in this way and steps have been taken to ensure the audience member in question does not return to the Royal Opera House.”
The young singer studies at Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School, a Catholic secondary in West London, which has links with major opera companies in the UK.
In the programme for the show, Bayoh is described as a star music pupil who sings in his school’s choir, with notes stating: “He loves travelling and making friends and has been passionate about singing ever since he joined St George’s cathedral choir at age eight.” A newcomer to the ROH, Bayoh is understood to be a rising star, and one of a number of pupils at his school involved with major companies, including the English National Opera and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
His music teacher Scott Price expressed his pride in Bayoh on Twitter, writing: “Very proud of this young fella. What a hero.”
Booing is not unknown at the ROH, but there have been no reports of an audience member receiving a permanent ban from the venue.
In 2015 a production of William Tell was booed and heckled for including a scene in which a young woman was undressed and abused by a group of soldiers. Kasper Holten, the then director of opera, was forced to apologise for the “distressing” show.