I've tried to avoid this, but I really can't for much longer. Let me just say that I have extreme respect for some one to go out on stage at all, at any time in their lives. But to go out on stage in front of scrutinizing and thoroughly terrifying opera buffs (because as much as we want to deny it, we're too hard on some people) only weeks after finishing chemotherapy for breast cancer, or any other kind of cancer!
People first complained about her article in the New York Times Arts section which stated:
"...“It’s hurtful,” Ms. Swenson said. “I’m a New Yorker. I’ve sung here for many, many years."..."I’ve never let them down.” She added: “It’s so stressful to get up onstage and realize that the top guy doesn’t like you, and there’s nothing I can do about it..."
"...Mr. Gelb acknowledged some dissatisfaction with her past performances. But he disputed that her career at the Met was over..."
"...“I think I’m not skinny enough for him,” Ms. Swenson said. “Excuse me, I’m not some giant person.”..."
"...Ms. Swenson said she was aware that her words could burn bridges with Mr. Gelb. “He doesn’t like me anyway,” she said, “so what do I have to lose?”..."
People were saying that Ms. Swenson was trying to get pity and was just plain being a cry baby. I think that these allegations are unfair and untrue! I think that Ms. Swenson was trying to show how some opera companies are trying to make it more about drama and (let's be frank) sex appeal than about musical abilities. Whether this is true or not remains to be seen. Obviously, there are people who think that this is so. Between Deborah Voigt's public weight "issues" and the increase in skinnier singers, it may not be unlikely. There are full-figured opera singers to be sure, more than half of the men are a little more than "full" and some women, Ms. Sweson included, are not super-model thin. Opera has remained for a long time an art that does not care what you look like, just how you sing! I am hoping that it stays this way; we can't be pushing singers on a scale at every audition, it would be unheard of! And cruel!
Last week the NY Times printed a review for the Met's production of Handel's "Guilio Cesare" with David Daniels and Ruth Ann Swenson as Cleopatra. The critic had nothing but good things to say about Ms. Swenson! She, as we hear, received a little more than enthusiastic applause during the curtain calls, and an every-praising review. So... What do people have against her?
People say that she is not much of an actress. Well, neither was Cornell Macneil! Pavarotti was sometimes a "stand there and sing" type of guy, too! At some points opera was a "stand and sing" art form, whether it was intentional or not. There is that story about Corelli and Tebaldi in Boheme where each stood on an opposite side of the stage and sang to their fans on other sides of the house, not caring whether Mimi and Rodolfo were supposed to touch hands.
People also say that her vocal quality has not been as good as past years. Well, there are a few factors that could contribute to this... One, is age. Everyone gets old. We can handle a few wrinkles, can't we?? I mean, Domingo hasn't even retired yet, so I think we can handle it! Two...People, people people people! Did you miss the part where Ruth Ann Swenson had breast cancer? Cancer and chemo can do things to you! You don't get off scot free! It's ridiculous that someone thinks that she will come back unaffected!
I'm not sure what to think about this problem as a whole. Even though I just put my two cents in, and you probably think I have a strong opinion about it. I'm inclined to like Ruth Ann Swenson a lot, and I am hoping to see her next season in 'La Traviata.' I understand that Peter Gelb wants to make opera more popular, but he can't push out talented singers.
This has been prying on my mind for a long time, and I want everyone to know that this entry took me days to write. =) I didn't know whether to set up a riot on Peter Gelb or to sit back and see what happens. I would really like to see his reaction and/or comeback to all of this!!!
