Delinquent Opera Singer Sacked

Posted by Sarah Canice Funke Sep 29, 2007

The opera world is full of prima donnas. The 42-year-old Romanian Angela Gheorghiu apparently felt that she was above the normal work ethic that governs an opera production. Skipping rehearsals and leaving the city without permission damaged her work relationship with managers such as Lyric Opera general director William Mason, who spelled out her truancy in detail. Gheorghiu's actions were perceived to demonstrate a disregard for other performers. And since Gheorghiu was playing the role of Mimi in La Boheme, her absence left a considerable hole during rehearsals.

Gheorghiu claims legitimate reasons for her failure to show. She claims that a cold prevented her from attending rehearsals and she felt that she was already very familiar with the role anyway. She left Chicago without permission because her husband is performing at the New York Met.

Theatrics must attract Gheorghiu: she is married to tenor Roberto Alagna, who stormed off a Milanese stage last December when audiences booed his performance.

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