Royal Opera House 2013-14 Season Announcement Controversy - Antonio Pappano Criticizes Young Singers; Who Was He Targeting?

Controversy struck when the Royal Opera House announced its long awaited 2013-2014 season.

Before the announcement of the opera season, Music Director Antonio Pappano took out his frustrations on young singers after a slew cancellations occurred during the past season.  

He stated "It happens more and more. There's something about this generation of singers who are either weaker in their bodies or just don't care." He added "I don't know what it is, but it's something that is very frustrating for me personally. I have to conduct these guys."

He added; "Physically the organisms are not as strong. For Domingo to cancel he would have to be on his death bed. It's just a different generation. He also said "a contract was a contract. The attitude is not the same." He continued, "They are expected to sing more in the rehearsals, the rehearsals are longer, cutting of operas, which used to be a big tradition, is no longer seen in a favorable light. So they are singing much longer versions of the operas, even the popular ones. Maria Callas never sang a whole 'Traviata' in her life."

The outburst was sparked when the press was discussing Meyerbeer's "Robert Le Diable" a production that was originally revived for the Peruvian tenor Juan Diego Florez. However Florez changed his mind a year before the production and the company had to chase another tenor for the rarely performed work. The production then suffered another cancellation when original star Diana Damrau withdrew due to pregnancy and was not up to the job.  She was then replaced by American soprano Jennifer Rowley who cancelled two days before the first night and was replaced by Patrizia Ciofi.

If matters were not bad enough another performer, Marina Poplavskaya, originally pulled out of the same opera due to a medical condition but subsequently returned.

The same has also occurred with Romanian soprano Anja Harteros who cancelled Otello, Don Carlo and La Boheme in one season due to personal reasons.

By the end of his rant, Pappano asked singers to plan better and take bigger rests in between shows.

The 2013-14 season will see stars Jonas Kaufmann, Anna Netrebko Angela Gheorghiu, Rene Pape, Juan Diego Florez, Diana Damrau and Joyce Didonato headline the season.