Posted on 08/08/2015 1:59:35 AM PDT by rickmichaels
In a move that many would consider basic human decency, the Metropolitan Opera in New York has decided to break from tradition, and forgo the use of blackface in its upcoming production of Verdi’s Otello (based on Shakespeare’s Othello).
The decision, which should have been a no-brainer, has been met with resounding positivity and a general sense of self-congratulation. Met general manager Peter Gelb is quoted as saying, “I realize it’s a sensitive issue. We feel that it’s the appropriate direction for this production and we’re happy with that decision. Quite frankly, [director Bartlett Sher] and I have talked about this for some time, how [Otello] should look in this production, so it’s a decision that has evolved over time.”
The fact that the use of blackface is even being discussed as an option – at a time when racially motivated violence in the United States is grabbing daily headlines – is shocking. Lauding oneself for having joined this century is a bit rich.
But focusing on the use of blackface, or lack thereof, in opera is diverting focus from an equally important issue: The Met cast Latvian tenor Aleksandrs Antonenko in one of the very few titular operatic roles that call for a black singer.
In a statement published on NPR.com, the Met said: “Aleksandrs Antonenko is among a small handful of international dramatic tenors who can meet the considerable musical challenges of the role of Otello, one of the most demanding in the entire operatic canon, when sung without amplification on the stage of the world’s largest opera house.”
(Excerpt) Read more at theglobeandmail.com ...
When are journalists (among others) going to learn what “begs the question” actually means?
What morons. Putting on “blackface” or “whitewash” is a way to AVOID practicing discrimination. Black singers can sing white roles, and white singers can sing black roles.
Geez, PC comes to Opera. Disgusts me.
Well. If we are being politically correct, a black guy marrying a white chick and the being duped and lied to by a white guy such that he murders his wife in a fit of rage probably should not be shown. Too demeaning of the black guy
What does it mean, actually? I’ve heard it tossed around frequently. I know why it’s used but what is its actual etymological meaning?
Othello wasn’t even black. He was supposed to be a Moor, a North African. North Africans, although darker than Europeans, are still Caucasian, not sub-Saharan black.
The English have labeled Othello “black”, so Americans interpret the character as a sub- Saharan Negroid.
It is a term from logic. In Latin, it’s “petitio principii.”
It means appealing to a proposition as proof of its own truth.
Discussions of abortion are a gold mine of logical fallacies, especially begging the question: You know: “An unborn baby is not human because it’s not human until it’s born.”
Someone, sometime, got the notion that “begs the question” means “suggests the following question.”
” the old black ram is tupping your white ewe” - Iago
If actors start pretending to be something they’re not, where will it end...uh, wait.
These days, I’m surprised to hear the phrase “begs the question” used correctly. I’m afraid it’s too late, though; enough dimwits think it sounds all intellectual while having no idea what it really means.
Do they really mean “blackface” or do they just mean dark makeup?
He WAS a black guy, I think it’s sort of part of the plot, it’s going to look pretty silly having some blond Latvian playing that part.
But who knows, there’s no pleasing anyone these days.
ES - you may want this for the classical ping list.
Does the brillo pad hair guy still conduct that circus.
Would that we could ask Shakespeare’s “Dark Lady”.
Thank you. Really jarring when that misuse jumps out at you in a headline. What do they actually teach in journalism classes, one wonders.
I think you are right. English is a vibrant and living language, so there have always been changes occurring regularly. For good and for ill. Now, with our instant global communications, they occur with lightning speed.
Some vocabulary changes are brought about by technological innovations. Fifteen years ago, I would not have imagined using a word like “text” as a verb, for example. We speak of “GPSing” or “Mapquesting” a trip. These changes seem rather harmless to me.
But throw in the poor state of education in our country, and we are doomed to be led linguistically by some ill informed pundits and journalists. And students are often being taught by people who have not learned grammar and composition themselves. When young people see improper usage online — ah, another one! — on a regular basis it becomes imprinted in their brains as correct, I suppose.
I could of gone on with alot more examples but I prolly should stop beings I got alot of work to do. And your probably busy their to. So get too work.
I don’t know how many black singers can sing Otello, actually. Which is why we have white/Hispanic (Domingo) singers generally playing it. And, after all, it was written in the 19th century before all this pc nonsense. Many white actors/singers play this role as an Arab with a light darkening of skin. Moors being from Arabia, of course, being the excuse.
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