Soprano Tamar Iveri released by Opera Australia for anti-gay comments

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/23/soprano-tamar-iveri-dropped-opera-australia-anti-gay

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Opera Australia has released Georgian soprano Tamar Iveri from her contract to perform in their production of Otello, describing views attributed to the singer towards gay people as “unconscionable”.

Iveri, who is in Sydney rehearsing, faced public anger last week after a post on her Facebook page from last year was uncovered that appeared to be describing gay people as “faecal masses”.

The post was described as a letter to the Georgian president after Christian Orthodox groups violently assaulted members of a gay pride march in the capital of Tbilisi.

“I was quite proud of the fact how Georgian society spat at the parade … Often, in certain cases, it is necessary to break jaws in order to be appreciated as a nation in the future, and to be taken into account seriously,” the post said. It was deleted following the recent backlash.

“Please, stop vigorous attempts to bring the west’s ‘faecal masses’ in the mentality of the people by means of propaganda.”

On Monday Opera Australia shared a Facebook post of its own, saying Iveri would not be performing the role of Desdemona in Otello.

“Opera Australia has reached agreement with Ms Iveri to immediately release her from her contract with the company,” it wrote.

“Opera Australia believes the views as stated to be unconscionable.”

Opera Australia spokeswoman Imogen Corlette said the production would still open on 5 July as planned, and a replacement would be announced “shortly”.

On Saturday, Iveri used Facebook to say it was her husband who had made the homophobic post, describing him as “very religious” with a “tough attitude towards gay people”.

But Opera Australia appeared not to have been swayed by this explanation. People responded positively to its announcement on social media. “Thank you Opera Australia. Be assured you've made the right decision and you'll receive an abundance of continued and new support for coming to this decision,” one person wrote.

Others questioned why it took so long for them to drop the star.

“Took your time but got there in the end,” one person responded. “In future make some checks on guest artists.”

Others wrote that it was a “pity” Opera Australia did not make the decision sooner.

It has also been reported that Brussels Opera House has dropped Iveri from one of its productions, due to take place next year.

A change.org petition calling for Iver’s passport and visa to work in Australia to be revoked attracted more than 4,500 signatures.