On July 14th, Grammy-award-winning opera singer Angel Blue announced her withdrawal from Arena di Verona in Italy after learning the festival featured performers in blackface. Russian soprano Anna Netrebko posted pictures of herself wearing dark makeup to play the role of an Ethiopian princess on instagram.
Blue would later post on instagram writing that “the use of blackface under any circumstances, artistic or otherwise, is a deeply misguided practice based on archaic theatrical traditions which have no place in modern society. It is offensive, humiliating, and outright racist. Full stop.”
Many Arena Di Verona performers applauded Blue’s decision on social medical and sent support. Opera singer Ryan Speedo Green, who is also Black, thanked Blue “for standing up for us” in a comment. “This practice needs to stop and all the artist/administrations who support it should be put on blast so their support of racist practice can be brought to light,” he wrote.
Earlier this week, a spokesperson from Arena di Verona satated that that the reenactment of the 2002 movie was “made when these sensitive topics were not such an issue.” The spokesperson added that “it is very hard to change” historical productions. Other singers in the cast also performed in dark makeup.
Blackface remains in our world. Several politicians and entertainers, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, Jimmy Fallon and Jason Aldean have come under fire for blackface in the past. In some parts of Europe and Russia, blackface is a common practice. The world needs to be aware that blackface has no place in modern society; it is degrading towards the black community.
Link: https://www.washingtonpost.com/music/2022/07/16/angel-blue-withdraw-aida-blackface/
Blue would later post on instagram writing that “the use of blackface under any circumstances, artistic or otherwise, is a deeply misguided practice based on archaic theatrical traditions which have no place in modern society. It is offensive, humiliating, and outright racist. Full stop.”
Many Arena Di Verona performers applauded Blue’s decision on social medical and sent support. Opera singer Ryan Speedo Green, who is also Black, thanked Blue “for standing up for us” in a comment. “This practice needs to stop and all the artist/administrations who support it should be put on blast so their support of racist practice can be brought to light,” he wrote.
Earlier this week, a spokesperson from Arena di Verona satated that that the reenactment of the 2002 movie was “made when these sensitive topics were not such an issue.” The spokesperson added that “it is very hard to change” historical productions. Other singers in the cast also performed in dark makeup.
Blackface remains in our world. Several politicians and entertainers, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, Jimmy Fallon and Jason Aldean have come under fire for blackface in the past. In some parts of Europe and Russia, blackface is a common practice. The world needs to be aware that blackface has no place in modern society; it is degrading towards the black community.
Link: https://www.washingtonpost.com/music/2022/07/16/angel-blue-withdraw-aida-blackface/
