Written in 2021, and prompted by a letter from a friend I found in the voice box. This story is about my time at the Metropolitan Opera and how I ended up in a pile of dirt in 2010.
Thank you for being so honest and vulnerable in your retelling of this experience. As someone who is just starting to peek behind the curtain of a career in this industry as a soprano, it means the world to read what I know all of us feel at some point in our trajectories. Thank you thank you thank you!
What a spellbinding account! Having twice seen you on stage in Eugene, I know what a great artist you are. You did not deserve such treatment. I wonder how it is that some of the same people who create the beauty of opera can be capable of such ugly behavior?
I completely understand how you feel and what you went through. It also happened to me. I will never forget it. You are worthy and deserve so much more. Thank you for telling your story.
That's an amazing story, Leah. Thanks for sharing so much of what was obviously an awful, painful experience. FWIW, I had a similar experience covering Dmitri at S.F. Opera. It's amazing the lengths that the Met will go to in order to avoid the indignity of having an American soprano not named Renée open a production in a leading role.
And, not to throw shade at Dessay, but the opera IS called "Hamlet"... and it's not like Keenlyside is a bottom-of-the-barrel slouch as a singer!
What a moving story about a very frustrating situation. I can tell you, I’ve experienced similar feelings in my conducting career. It’s a problem throughout the classical music world. Bravo to you for writing so candidly and eloquently about your experience. Though sometimes it feels like it, you (we all?) are not alone.
I also read your article about Thais and watched your performance in it. You were great! (I was just sad that the production cut 90% of the ballet music out - I really like the Thais ballet and the only production I have seen completely left it out - so I've never seen it staged). I am not a singer but I have worked in the entertainment industry and what you write about happens at every level. It isn't you...it's THEM. But that realization doesn't mitigate the deep hurt one feels when you are being mistreated or rejected. Gelb seems like a real piece of work and I am sorry at what you went through. As an audience member, we think the singers and dancers' lives are charmed and that your wonderful talents are admired and cherished. Obviously, this isn't the case and I am really, really sorry. The grass is never greener
An incredible story. And I’m sorry that happened to beautiful wonderful you. I look forward to reading more about you and your thoughts on music and more.
Nobody deserves this humiliating treatment. Please send this letter to Gelb, who actually should be treated in that manner.
Thank you for being so honest and vulnerable in your retelling of this experience. As someone who is just starting to peek behind the curtain of a career in this industry as a soprano, it means the world to read what I know all of us feel at some point in our trajectories. Thank you thank you thank you!
What a spellbinding account! Having twice seen you on stage in Eugene, I know what a great artist you are. You did not deserve such treatment. I wonder how it is that some of the same people who create the beauty of opera can be capable of such ugly behavior?
Glad to hear that at the end of that kaleidoscope-like event you came out better and stronger :)
I completely understand how you feel and what you went through. It also happened to me. I will never forget it. You are worthy and deserve so much more. Thank you for telling your story.
That's an amazing story, Leah. Thanks for sharing so much of what was obviously an awful, painful experience. FWIW, I had a similar experience covering Dmitri at S.F. Opera. It's amazing the lengths that the Met will go to in order to avoid the indignity of having an American soprano not named Renée open a production in a leading role.
And, not to throw shade at Dessay, but the opera IS called "Hamlet"... and it's not like Keenlyside is a bottom-of-the-barrel slouch as a singer!
What a moving story about a very frustrating situation. I can tell you, I’ve experienced similar feelings in my conducting career. It’s a problem throughout the classical music world. Bravo to you for writing so candidly and eloquently about your experience. Though sometimes it feels like it, you (we all?) are not alone.
A cliche, but approprate, true grit!
I also read your article about Thais and watched your performance in it. You were great! (I was just sad that the production cut 90% of the ballet music out - I really like the Thais ballet and the only production I have seen completely left it out - so I've never seen it staged). I am not a singer but I have worked in the entertainment industry and what you write about happens at every level. It isn't you...it's THEM. But that realization doesn't mitigate the deep hurt one feels when you are being mistreated or rejected. Gelb seems like a real piece of work and I am sorry at what you went through. As an audience member, we think the singers and dancers' lives are charmed and that your wonderful talents are admired and cherished. Obviously, this isn't the case and I am really, really sorry. The grass is never greener
An incredible story. And I’m sorry that happened to beautiful wonderful you. I look forward to reading more about you and your thoughts on music and more.