An opera superstar clarifies her vax position

An opera superstar clarifies her vax position

News

norman lebrecht

February 15, 2022

The Lithuanian soprano Asmik Grigorian has been dogged by rumours that she is an anti-vaxxer.  In an Austrian interview, she sets the record straight:

Ms. Grigorian, the New York Times reported that you suffered from Long Covid. Will we never let go of the topic?
AG: I had Corona, but already two years ago. It took me quite a long time to recover. But I don’t know what Long Covid is, I don’t read newspapers and I don’t want to know anything about Corona.

Once again on the unspeakable Corona topic. An opera singer told me that she has been vaccinated four times, twice with Sputnik and twice with Pfizer, because Sputnik does not apply everywhere.
AG: Yes, we all only have one butt and mine is now full of vaccinations! (Laughs.)

Are you fully vaccinated yourself?
AG: I have no choice.

Vaccination has been made compulsory in Austria since February 1st. What do you think?
AG: I’m not a politician. Let’s change the subject.

Comments

  • Player says:

    Bless her. Great talent. Rather fed up to have been compelled to have them, clearly. Agree with her about changing the subject!

  • John Borstlap says:

    “But I don’t know what Long Covid is, I don’t read newspapers and I don’t want to know anything about Corona.”

    It’s the spirit of the Feldmarschallin in Der Rosenkavalier:

    “Ich will nix wissen! Lass Er mich mit dem Tratsch in Ruh!” (1st act)

  • music lover says:

    Brava! I am fully vaccinated,too.But i´ve stopped reading anything about this nonsense more than a year ago.It doesn´t interest me.There are other topics and problems.It´s just one of many,not THE problem of the world.It will stay,and we have to move on,as other generations did with diseases before.

  • ThrownOutOfTheKremlinForSinging says:

    It’s so nice when people who don’t know immunology or virology or epidemiology don’t try to opine on these subjects! Every musician, especially every opera singer, should know that sometimes the most effective note is a rest. Brava.

  • MacroV says:

    Not all that clarifying, really. How about “Yes, I got the shot. Everyone needs to if we’re ever to return to normal. It’s just a shot; stop whining already and do it!”

    • Brettermeier says:

      “Not all that clarifying, really. How about ‘Yes, I got the shot. Everyone needs to if we’re ever to return to normal. It’s just a shot; stop whining already and do it!'”

      Yes, and because she did NOT say the latter (thus dodging the question) it’s safe to assume that she is NOT vaccinated.

      Is there such a thing as a non-confirmation confirmation?

    • VF says:

      I agree completely. She doesn’t clarify anything. Besides, you don’t administer Covid-19 vaccines in the “butt.” So, I don’t what her butt is full of. Lovely voice though. Her recent Iolanta in Berlin was excellent.

  • Michael McGrath says:

    I don’t care about her vaccination status or when she last had a mammography or whether she has fallen arches. I care about the magnificent artist she is. And I wish her a long healthy life staying true to herself.

    Surely there are more interesting and intelligent ways to spend one’s limited interview time with her.

  • garrettsviolin says:

    There are so much better things to talk about with such a fabulous musician. Congrats to her for not taking any of bate.

  • Tiredofitall says:

    She sounds like a real class act. The sort of interview that will one day make her cringe…

  • wiener says:

    Superstar ?

  • Gus says:

    In a civilised society, no one should be be forced into this “vaccination”, no wonder she does not want to talk about it. What have we become?

  • Cynical Bystander says:

    “Let’s change the subject.”

    Amen to that.

  • Karl says:

    What counts as fully vaccinated? Some places won’t let people in unless they have been boosted. Boosted means 3 mRNA shots or two J&J shots. I think they should check our cholesterol levels too – don’t want someone having a heart attack during the concert and have ambulance sirens interrupt the music! Get your shots folks. And take your statins too!

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