She cancelled Paris… until something better came along

She cancelled Paris… until something better came along

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norman lebrecht

September 03, 2019

The Georgian soprano Nino Machaidze expressed ‘deepest regret’ a couple of months ago for pulling out of a Paris Traviata to undergo treatment for hip and thigh complaints.

She should have been singing Violetta in Paris next week. Instead, she will be in Frankfurt, jumping in as Desdemona in Rossini’s Otello.

Here’s what she says:

 My dears, I’m happy to inform you about a surprise news 😊 I have just arrived in Frankfurt to jump into the production of Rossini’s “Otello” signed by Damiano Michieletto that I already performed in Wien 3 years ago 🥰 This is completely unexpected news and on sunday I will sing the Opening night almost without rehearsals 😊 As you know because of my hip and leg problems and to be able to take care of myself, I had to cancel another production, which would have seen me involved for a long period in La Traviata performances in beautiful Opéra de Paris. I am still very sorry for this and I hope to return soon to Paris, city and Theater that I love very much and with who I’m still very thankful for understanding and kindness 🥰During this month and next one I still have to continue treatment on my leg, but thanks to hard physiotherapy that I did during last month and days in between my performances in Salzburg, fortunately now I feel much better and finally I can get back to the performances, especially with such short rehearsal period 😊 Love you all and I look forward to meeting you in Frankfurt Opera house from 8 to 29 September.

Why is it that Paris is everyone’s first-choice cancellation?

 

Comments

  • david hilton says:

    Is this an example of “schedule shaming” a soprano? I’m shocked! How dare you! I call on all right-minded people to silence Mr Lebrecht before other critics begin doing the same thing.

    • Bone says:

      What are you even talking about? This is NL’s blog! If you don’t like his opinion, go post your own blog. Silencing criticism shouldn’t be encouraged.

      • V.Lind says:

        It seems to me, Bone, that that is exactly what you are trying to do. NL used to do it too — tell anyone who offered criticism to go and find somewhere else to post — and sometimes declined to post a critical response. He has not done that for some time, which I have seen as a good thing. I don’t think he needs a lapdog as his familiar, even if it is an Alsatian.

    • Carlos says:

      Sorry for my naive question, but… you’re not talking seriously, are you?

  • sleeping on the job says:

    No coverage of Hymel’s SFO cancellation?

  • Phillip Ayling says:

    “…Until Something Better Came Along” is certainly snarky and possibly, quite misleading.

    If one is not feeling well, has upcoming surgery, or needs to go into rehabilitation, giving as much notice as possible to an employer and an audience is the right thing to do.

    If one finds that they are recovering faster than expected, taking baby steps into a lighter workload, especially as a last minute stand-in, seems like it has potential upside all around.

  • Peter says:

    She is just another mistery of the more recent opera world, for people who still understand something about real opera or singing… just thinking that this singer can have such a career with such a poor and already worn voice is … a true mistery of opera!
    It’s good Paris will not have to listen to her, her voice is for Frankfurt or even smaller and less important venues!
    Wake up, people! This should not even be news, it’s almost talking about nobody.
    Excuse me for my frank opinion.
    Cheers

    • Ms.Melody says:

      It is no mystery. This has been a pattern for a number of years. Over exposure, frequent flying, little or no rehearsal, too much, too soon, poor technique-all kill the voices before they have a chance to mature. This is why on average after 3-5 years one begins to hear strain and wear and tear in the voice. But the public still buys tickets and shouts Bravo, so the singer thinks all is well, until one day it isn’t. What is happening to young singers that should be on their prime? Have you ever seen so many singers cancelling, taking time off and getting sick? By the way, vocal decline is an equal opportunity employer. Men and women get into trouble in approximately equal numbers.

  • Peter says:

    P.S.: the way singers nowadays choose to publically express themselves is pretty weird as well… it was like reading a composition of a silly little school girl 😉

  • Mustafa Kandan says:

    In her case it is obviously the circumstances. I cannot imagine a singer choosing Frankfurt over Paris in order to boost her career profile. After saying that, it is quite plausible (knowing the excellence of German ensembles) that Frankfurt may have the better orchestra and chorus than Paris.

  • T. says:

    Paris Opera is in transition perhaps that’s one of the reasons. Divas are divas, and nothing should be surprising.

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