Pressure mounts to sack Georgian soprano
Tamar Iveri in production of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Opera, Cosi Fan Tutte, in 2004. (Getty) Getty
Pressure is mounting on Opera Australia to sack Georgian soprano Tamer Iveri from its production of Otello over her homophobic remarks, with main sponsor Qantas saying they are "deeply concerned" with her views.
In a Facebook post protesting against a gay pride march in her Georgian hometown which took place last year, Iveri referred to homosexuals as "faecal matter" and "sewage".
"I was quite proud of the fact how Georgian society spat at the parade … Please, stop vigorous attempts to bring West's 'fecal masses' (sic) in the mentality of the people by means of propaganda."
Opera Australia has so far refused calls from the gay and lesbian community to have Iveri sacked, instead posting a statement on their Facebook page which reads: "Opera Australia has become aware in the past 24 hours, of the media and social media coverage of comments reported to have been made by soprano Tamar Iveri … Tamar Iveri has sought to clarify her views on this important issue, and has issued an apology and explanation on her own Facebook page … Rehearsals and performances at Opera Australia are continuing as planned."
Speaking with The Australian, Opera Australia spokeswoman Imogen Corlette said the company could not comment beyond the posted statement, adding that “this is something that we are taking very seriously".
On her page, Iveri goes on to blame the original offensive post on her husband, who she claims is "deeply religious" and has a "tough attitude towards gay people".
Today, Iveri's husband appeared to have issued his own apology on the singer's Facebook page, saying his wife "knows that homophobia is unacceptable and alien to me."
But the explanation has done little to satisfy Qantas, one of Opera Australia's main sponsors.
In a reply to a tweet from top GLBTIQ law firm, Dowson Turco Lawyers, regarding Opera Australia's handling of the situation, Qantas replied: Qantas is deeply concerned by these comments and we are discussing them with Opera Australia.
Source: The Australian
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