Royal Opera pulls out of Israel production after staff revolt
The Royal Ballet and Opera (RBO) has pulled out of a planned production run of Puccini's Turandot in Israel, the company's CEO Alex Beard confirmed in a message to staff.
Beard told his employees that "Tosca will not be going to Israel" following weeks of staff dissent over their refusal to perform in Israel and anger at the treatment of a performer who raised the Palestinian flag after a performance.
In July, dancer Danni Perry raised the Palestinian flag during an ovation following a performance of Il Trovatore.
Perry was challenged by the opera's director, Oliver Mears, who attempted to pull the flag off him.
The performer was later reportedly "banned" from participation in future performances.
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The incident set off declarations of solidarity with Perry by members of the company, with 182 members of staff joining a call to reject future performances in Israel.
Staff, including performers, dancers, musicians and technicians amongst others, signed a letter demanding that RBO "withholds our productions from institutions that legitimise and economically support a state engaged in the mass killing of civilians".
"In recent months, the world has witnessed the systematic destruction of Palestinian lives, homes, and cultural heritage. Tens of thousands have been killed, millions displaced, and essential infrastructure deliberately targeted, in clear violation of international law," the letter said.
"It is in this climate that our organisation has chosen to actively support the Israeli state and its economy by hiring our production of Turandot to The Israeli Opera."
Staff demands in the letter included the cessation of performances in Israel, an acknowledgement by the RBO of genocide in Gaza, solidarity with Perry and disciplinary action against Mears.
The world of opera, like others in the performing arts, faces an internal reckoning over its response to Israel's onslaught on Gaza.
Many artists refuse to perform in Israel as they consider it tacit endorsement of its atrocities against Palestinians in the besieged enclave.
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