Gheorghiu fired by Lyric Opera

Gheorghiu fired by Lyric Opera

	Published : Fri, 28 Sep 2007 22:22 By : Agencies Print this Story

(AP) - Soprano Angela Gheorghiu was fired from her role as Mimi in 'La Boheme' by the Lyric Opera of Chicago on Friday, the latest in a string of flare-ups that have marked her brilliant but tempestuous career.

Public criticism of performers by management is rare in classical music, but Lyric Opera general director William Mason took the unusual step of detailing the reasons for the dismissal.

'Miss Gheorghiu has missed six of 10 rehearsals, including the piano dress rehearsal and both staging rehearsals with the orchestra,' Mason said. 'She missed one of the most critical stage-orchestra rehearsals when she left the city for New York without permission, a direct violation of her contract.'

Gheorghiu, a 42-year-old Romanian widely admired for her vocal allure and dramatic abilities, is married to tenor Roberto Alagna, who is currently performing at New York's Metropolitan Opera.

Mason said she had demanded new costumes for her performances in the Puccini opera, then refused to attend fittings.

'It is with tremendous regret and sadness that we are compelled to take this action,' Mason said, 'but Miss Gheorghiu's actions have shown total disregard for Lyric Opera's dedicated personnel and for her fellow artists.'

Gheorghiu's spokesman, Glenn Petry, said he was attempting to reach her for comment.

Gheorghiu and Alagna were publicly rebuked in 1998 by the Met when then-general manager Joseph Volpe withdrew their contracts for a new production of Verdi's 'La Traviata,' saying they wanted design and direction approval. And last December, Alagna walked off stage after he was booed following his opening aria in Verdi's 'Aida,' creating an international stir.

While most operatic disputes are handled privately, several famous singers have been involved in previous public flaps. In November 1958, Met general manager Rudolph Bing fired Maria Callas when she asked to be relieved from two performances in 'La Traviata.' And in 1989 the Lyric 'banned' Luciano Pavarotti from future engagements for excessive cancellations.

Gheorghiu's understudy, Elaine Alvarez, will make her Lyric Opera debut and replace Gheorghiu in six performances starting Monday.

Also Friday, the Lyric announced an agreement with the American Guild of Musical Artists that averted a threatened strike of Saturday's season-opening performance of 'La Traviata.' The agreement is subject to ratification by the union.