[Zhang Fei]

Black opera singer quit because a white opera singer was playing the lead, an Ethiopian character, in Aida. The black babe was scheduled to play the lead, a white French character, in La Traviata, but that’s different because she’s black.

[Mark17]

Weird, huh?

[Dr. Sivana]

There are only so many people in the world who have the God-given, talent, training and discipline to play those kinds of roles. Most of them are going to be white Europeans and North Americans.

You play a part, you look the part. I don’t hear Germans complaining about the obvious stereotype of the fat lady wearing Viking horns and a braided wig.

I am assuming that the blackface is simply dark makeup, and not a caricature that tries to fatten the lips, etc. If anyone has a problem with that in the context of serious opera, they are either ignorant, or they actually think there is something wrong with having a dark complexion.

[alexander_busek]

The theatre said it was hoping that Blue, who is black, would accept an invitation to meet with Arena officials for 'dialogue' over the issue.

The only "dialog" should be: "You're fired!"

Regards,

[Pilgrim's Progress]

I think they should replace her with one of those black-faced gals from the other show.

[Williams]

OH
SO
WHAT

[Impala64ssa]

A Black Soprano?? Does Tony know about this?

[ifinnegan]

She should wear white face to make it even.

[Mark17]

The theatre said it was hoping that Blue, who is black, would accept an invitation to meet with Arena officials for 'dialogue' over the issue.

Blue, who is black? Maybe she should change her name. It’s an affront to blue people, with pink hair. 😀🤗🤪👍

[Governor Dinwiddie]

Negro music tends to be hip-hop and motown. Grand opera really isn't their turf.

[KarlInOhio]

It seems racial substitution is very much one way in acting. David Oyelowo is a fine actor, but I don’t see him as an early 19th century French policeman when he played Inspector Javert in Les Miserables I was watching recently.

[MinorityRepublican]

This is opera and in Italy. So I fail to see the issue here. Not every country is stuck with baggage like the Americans have over slavery.

[ifinnegan]

This.

[edweena]

“. . .because another production held at the theater earlier this year featured performers in blackface.” Angel Blue objected to the blackface, not to a white singer in the part. I’ve been going to the opera for years, and for years they’ve simply ignored appearance in casting. Thus you see “Madame Butterfly” or “The Barber of Seville” with multi-racial casts in costume, but not made up to imitate someone of a different race. The pool of talent is not large enough to limit the director to choosing only singers who look like the role. It’s like sports. You get used to it quickly. By the way, there are many superb black, Hispanic, and Asian opera singers

[HYPOCRACY]

I'm still pissed off about Kabuki Theater...

[Gaffer]

Same goes for her. Like she hasn’t ever sang a part of a white European character. Triggered nonsense.

[lee martell]

Ms Blue better watch it. She’s what? 38 y/o?
Her best singing days may already be behind her.

She will most likely always be impressive, compared to non-opera trained entertainers, but I’ve been told singing opera (correctly and repeatedly) can be rough on the body.

A mezzo soprano like Angel would be one of the first to feel the effects of age. This as opposed to the even higher vocal range of Coloratura Soprano, as with actress Julie Andrews.

[Rurudyne]

Well, bye.

[Nifster]

Because if she plays the race card she must be right

[Getready]

Boycott her performances. Especially if she plays an historical non-black person. Cast her only in roles where the character is black. That will definitely “help” her career.

Prima Donna comes in all colors,but this “Donna es mobile.”

[heartwood]

I don’t think it’s the race of the singer but the stage makeup she objects to. They won’t be making her paint pale for La Traviata.