Is emergency the new normal at Covent Garden?
OperaOn the opening night of Tannhäuser the tenor Stefan Vinke was unable to sing and had to mime his part. This seems to have persisted through the run. Here’s an operagoer’s protest:
I went to Tannhäuser two nights ago. Once again Vinke walked the role while (Norbert) Ernst sang it from the side of the stage. I don’t know who sang at the second performance but I know that Vinke didn’t sing the first, third or fourth performances of a six-performance run.
What is going on? Why did Ernst not perform the role in full on 7 Feb, given that he had by then sung and watched it at least twice? And what happens about the payments? Is Vinke insisting on miming the role so that he can still get his fee?
Why didn’t they ask Neal Cooper to replace Vinke on Tuesday? His final Melot in Paris was last Saturday. Cooper sang the role of Tannhäuser really well at the Saffron Hall a few months ago.
It’s not bad singers, it’s bad management; and it’s reflected throughout all forward facing departments of place.
To be fair, there’s an awful lot of bad singing being put on stages these days…
Your suggestion of a replacement is inappropriate and ridiculous.
Vinke sang the 2nd AND 3rd performances…get your facts right!
Vinke did the second and third performances
Having a substitute because someone is sick is normal and it happens. People can’t control that, having a sub is fine.
Having someone… mime the role and lipsync while someone actually sings off stage is just bizarre, WHY would anyone do that. Embarrassing choice by RCG,
If the staging is not known by the covering artist, especially in a difficult production, there is no alternative. You’ve never been on stage, obviously.
He sang on the second night, and it wasn’t smooth. An apology from Vinke was read out before the start of the second act.
I was there the same night as this person.
In the first act, particularly, it was a complete distraction. Apparently Vinke had “declared himself fit the previous day and in the morning of the performance” only to be unable to sing in the evening.
“but I know that Vinke didn’t sing the first, third or fourth”
Is that accurate? My friend went to see the third one (1st Feb) and said Vinke was singing, and his voice was in very bad shape.
Going this Sunday and just received an email from ROH announcing a cast change: “Stefan Vinke is replaced by Norbert Ernst as Tannhäuser who will be singing and acting the role.”
We went on the 4th and Vinke’s voice was definitely not at its best, we felt it was a shame someone else didn’t sing the role in this instance.
He did sing the second night. And the rehearsal. He was struggling at the rehearsal but was ok the 2nd night. Odd they didn’t have an understudy for the title role
All fine on Saturday 4th, while Barber of Saville was excellent last night. Don’t know what the fuss is all about.
Seville, not Saville, obviously – although that would make an interesting contemporary piece!
I once hear Mr Cooper sing several of Waldemar’s ‘songs’ from GURRELIEDER and songs from SOUTH PACIFIC in the same concert!!! Yes, the programme was planned by a madman.
Whatever happened to the system of understudies who could jump in when the star singer suddenly became indisposed? Some great careers were launched through being the understudy.