Just in: Diva divorces her manager
NewsTweet from Sondra Radvanovsky:
It is with a VERY sad heart that I tell you that, not only am I dealing with the death of my mother, but I am going through a divorce. This is a very difficult time, but I am feeling happy and ready for the next chapter of my life…as well as opening night at @MetOpera ❤️Sondra pic.twitter.com/nROd5tImIJ
— Sondra Radvanovsky (@SondraRadvan) July 23, 2022
The US-Canadian soprano married Duncan Lear in December 2001. He then became her manager.
Sondra Radvanovsky is one of the most interesting singers in the spinto soprano repertoire today. Her fans know that her life has had its fair share of tragedy.
I am sorry to hear about the loss of her mother and hope she takes the time she needs after her divorce.
Sondra Radvanovsky has been MET FAMILY for decades. She has always been an extraordinarily gifted woman and a class act; no matter what the circumstances have been. Ms.Radvanovsky is elegant, kind, gracious and the consummate professional. She is adored by the entire Metropolitan Opera Labour force. Her MEDEA is fantastic; so difficult to sing, it is almost never performed !
What a pity. She is one of the nicest divas I ever met.
Must be so desperate for attention to make what amounts to a private situation/confession public.
This is not that kind of diva. Ms. Radvanovski canceled performances after the death of her mother, was she supposed to hide it and say that she had a sore throat or something? and the public announcement of divorce is rather normal, especially since her husband was also her manager. If it had not been officially announced it would have caused complications, it’s obvious.
Joan Sutherland sang her scheduled NY debut after the death of her mother because that’s what professional singers do.
“The show must go on!”
In Britain, it’s “On with the motley!”
Spot on A.L – if one does decide to share this kind of thing with the whole wide world, it should best be done on Facebook or Twitter. It has nothing to do with music, notwithstanding her obvious talent. If it’s posted on SD, then surely, in fairness, NL should allow her husband to comment too, in which case we would see all the salacious details in a never-ending thread – for all those who give a fig…
Whatever next? Gergiev ate Netrebko’s hamster?
It *was* announced on Twitter. It was NL who brought it to SD, not the distressed singer.
“Fergie ate Netrebko’s hamster? Are sanctions against Russia affecting meat supplies? Talk about fur balls!!!
As her husband was her manager it has everything to do with music. You obviously know nothing about the situation so don’t comment . Duncan Lear is also a very popular “friend” of Met company members. This is certainly personal, and Ms. Radvanovsky is adored by her Metropolitan Opera company friends and colleagues ( along with all the other major opera houses who read this site ). We support each other; in case that didn’t occur to you
Obviously an outsider to the intricacies of what happened here.
If her husband was responsible for much of her repertoire choices, she’s done well to divorce him : after offering a vocally perfect and musically nuanced accounting of Trovatore Leonora in Paris some 20 years ago, she went on to mark less than successful performances in Bel Canto roles ill suited to her capacities and seemed to be just pushed through a major career which will pain to leave a durable trace. Great pity seen the marvelous material she had.
So how come she’s still around if her husband made all the wrong career choices?
Good question : today the public is sold a product, and the criteria are, for opera at least, rarely based on knowledge of vocal art, the reason why the international level of singing has plunged over the last 30 years.
Well said
Actually, the quality of her basic vocal production has increased exponentially over the past two decades. Her manager had nothing to do with that and probably little with her choice of reportoire.
That said, I only care about her presence on stage, not how the sausage is made.
I think you haven’t heard her lately as she was just sensational as Turandot in Rome with Pappano, she simply brought the house down and some even said (people with knowledge and a sense for style, right voices etc) they haven’t heard anything like her since Nilsson! Her Tosca is the best around atm and per personality is wonderful!
Sondra is peerless in her repertoire and what a stage presence she got! She will do well and let’s hope the divorce isn’t acrimonious!
I can‘t wait to hear her Medea plus some more promising performances due in Europe
Loud is not necessarily great singing. Extremely difficult roles like Norma and Elisabetta in Devereux can only be chosen if you do vocally do them justice, regardless of stage presence. Friends of mine know Sondra personally : she’s lovely. These latter points don’t take away from the fact that role choices can hurt your legacy if you are not up to them. Cigna was one of the Met’s greatest Aidas but overtaxed as Norma. Rysanek abbandoned Abigaille after an intelligent review, as Price never tried Minnie again after vocal strain made her cancel, Pavarotti and Fleta refusing Calaf after single series in the role. These singers knew their vocal capabilities and limits.
That is also part of defending the vocal art.
And you are…?