Opera Australia drops singer over anti-gay ‘faecal masses’ Facebook rant
Opera Australia has confirmed it has released a singer from her contract, over a violent anti-gay rant posted on her Facebook page labelling gay people “faecal masses”.
Georgia-born soprano Tamar Iveri – who was in rehearsals for Opera Australia’s upcoming performance of Othello – had attracted criticism for the message.
The rant, addressed to the Georgian president, read in part: “I was quite proud of the fact how Georgian society spat at the [pride] parade, organized by your team.
“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.
“Please, stop vigorous attempts to bring West’s ‘faecal masses’ in the mentality of the people by means of propaganda.”
She has since claimed her “very religious” husband posted the rant on her Facebook account.
A statement from Opera Australia today says: “Opera Australia confirms soprano Ms Tamar Iveri will not be performing in Otello.
“Opera Australia has reached agreement with Ms Iveri to immediately release her from her contract with the company.
“Ms Iveri and her husband have both made public statements in the last 48 hours with regards to comments attributed to Ms Iveri.
“Ms Iveri has unreservedly apologised for those comments and views. Opera Australia believes the views as stated to be unconscionable.”
The opera company had faced immense pressure to drop Iveri, with their social media pages besieged with messages calling for them to cut ties with the singer.
The production of Othello, which opens next month, will still go ahead, with a replacement announced “shortly”.
