Amneris has got to be black
OperaElina Garanca writes: ‘The decision has been made.’
We still think she would rather have been blonde.
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Interesting that on the site of wienstaatsoper, under the title of details for Aida, they speak of Kaufmann, of Garanca and Salsi but not of Netrebko
Just because she is now donning a black wig doesn’t make her black. But, really, this is small beer and an excuse for grabbing attention.
At least that’s consistent with historical practice, since Egyptian royalty used black wigs as part of royal attire. (Of course, they might have executed non-royals wearing those wigs…)
I suppose dark hair is closer to the story.
More important requirement is having a fantastic mezzo soprano: having a mezzo of Elina Garanca’s calibre.
Her voice is too small for this role.
Amneris is egyptian. Egyptians are not black.
Amneris was the great-grandmother of Michael Jackson
They di generally have black hair though, which is what she was saying. It’s also believed the ruling classes wore wigs, which she also seems to be doing.
Hello! If you made your homework in Egyptian history, you would know that Ancient Egypt had several very black pharaos and blacks assimiliated with Egyptians, so to see a black person (pharao, queen, royalty, priests, etc) was very common. With all do respect that is the reason nobody objected Amneris of Bumbry, Verrett, or even Ramfis, or the King/Pharao in any Aida production around the globe.
First world problem.
NO! In the thousands of years of Egyptian actual history, there were only three, one for certain, periods where the throne was/might have been occupied by a person who might be what we now call “black” and not during times when it is known that Egypt was at war with “Ethiopia”! Aida, yes, is black. Amneris, not likely. Of course the whole thing is fiction anyway and this is simply one more way to demand roles be forcibly allocated to a particular –black — race while excluding other competent singers. STUPID! The real point is, can Amneris sing — and act. I repeat, STUPID!
I’m so tired of continuous racial fighting. Let’s have a white cast for Porgy and Bess.