Just in: Senior critic quits after newspaper bows to pressure and pulls his opera review

Just in: Senior critic quits after newspaper bows to pressure and pulls his opera review

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norman lebrecht

May 17, 2016

Arthur Kaptainis is probably the most respected music critic in Canada.

Just not by the Canadian Opera Company.

When COC read his review for Mametto II online in the National Post they called in and demanded its removal (recte: two corrections. see here). Unbelievably, the weak-kneed newspaper obliged.

Arthur promptly resigned from the paper. Our friends at MusicalToronto have published his review.

Read it here.

arthur-kaptainis-logo

It’s not a particularly tough review. What glue are they sniffing at COC?

This is a major press freedom issue. Cancel the National Post until it apologises and beware of an opera company that is able to reduce national media to submission.

Comments

  • Olassus says:

    I thought Kapitainis was with the Montreal Gazette.

    COC probably didn’t like this:

    “Are the Turks supposed to be ninjas or ISIS fighters? An array of hanging body bags and the relatively graphic downstage execution of a prisoner argue in favour of the latter.”

    • Olassus says:

      Seems the culprit is Postmedia Network Inc.

      It includes all these:

      Calgary Herald
      Canada.com
      Edmonton Journal
      Infomart
      Montreal Gazette
      National Post
      Ottawa Citizen
      The Province (Vancouver)
      Regina Leader-Post
      Saskatoon StarPhoenix
      Vancouver Sun
      Windsor Star

  • V.Lind says:

    His name is Kaptainis.

    On topic, I agree.

    • Olassus says:

      Yes, Kaptainis. My typo. I’ve had a drink with him actually. Very pleasant. And I think his copy is independent and pithy too, as it should be.

  • Milka says:

    Reminds one of play … Much ado about northing ….

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