Opera Soprano Angel Blue Pulls Out Of ‘Aida’ Performance Over La Traviata At Verona Arena Blackface Performance
An African American soprano named Angel Blue has quit her part in the production of Aida at the La Traviata Verona theatre in Verona, Italy.
The reason is that White Russian soprano singer Anna Netrebko sang Aida in Blackface in a performance of Verdi's opera that was presented earlier in the year.
Dear Friends, Family, and Opera Lovers, I have unfortunately come to the terrible conclusion
that I will not be performing La Traviata at Arena di Verona this summer as planned," Blue writes in an Instagram post.
is a highly erroneous habit founded on antiquated theatrical customs that has no place in contemporary culture.
La Traviata said she had "no motive nor purpose whatsoever to offend and disturb anyone's sensibilities" and offered an invitation to Blue in the hopes of discussing the matter.
The theatre hopes that the incident will foster cross-cultural understanding and impart knowledge to its Italian audience.