Foreign-based soprano: National Opera Estonia flounders in scandals rather than shining as an artistic torch

The National Opera Estonia has come into conflict with Estonian opera soloists working abroad, who claim they are being excluded from performing at the theatre. Soprano Aile Asszonyi, who performs in Japan, told Vikerradio that the current situation is absurd and particularly sad at a time when the theatre faces a historic opportunity to gain a new extension. Theatre director Ott Maaten denies the allegations.

The National Opera Estonia has found itself caught up in a public scandal after internationally acclaimed opera soloist Monika-Evelin Liiv sent a letter to the theatre's council and management members, claiming that Estonian top soloists working abroad are being excluded from performing at the National Opera.

Accusations against casting director

According to Liiv, the crux of the problem lies in the fact that the theatre's casting director Helen Lepalaan, who plans the ensemble, gives vocal lessons to Estonia soloists for a fee while simultaneously deciding which roles they may perform. This creates a situation where taking or not taking vocal lessons affects an artist's chances of performing on stage.

Soprano Aile Asszonyi, currently on a concert tour in Japan, described the situation directly and tellingly in the Vikerradio programme "VikerhommikHaving to take or not take paid vocal lessons from one person gives you the green light to the stage or it doesn't."

Asszonyi, who has been a member of Estonia's ensemble for as long as 11 years, also refuted claims that her busy concert schedule prevented her from performing at the National Opera. "Practically every other concert and theatre organisation in Estonia has found ways to invite me, has found ways to present these very powerful dramatic major scores. To say that I have somehow become too big for Estonian stages, too loud in my singing, is simply pure demagoguery," she said.

Theatre denies accusations

National Opera Estonia director Ott Maaten stated in an Eesti Ekspress article that the allegations do not correspond to the truth: Lepalaan's job is not to teach singing, and no one is obliged to take paid lessons from her.

Lepalaan herself explained that she does not make decisions alone regarding the repertoire and guest soloists. "The National Opera is directed by law by the general director and the artistic director, but in essence the theatre is a team effort. Thus, at the National Opera there is a continuously convening repertoire council," she explained. According to Lepalaan, the theatre employs 19 opera soloists on its roster, and the priority in selecting works is the engagement of these salaried singers.

Historic moment wasted on conflicts

For Asszonyi, the timing of the entire scandal is what hurts most. In her view, this minor friction is occurring precisely when the Estonian music community should be united, and the theatre is currently facing a historic opportunity to gain a new and impressive extension.

"At present, Estonia is not shining as an artistic torch in the Estonian music world, but is floundering in scandals once again. It makes me cry. At a moment when we need everyone to stand together and we aren't throwing obstacles in each other's way, at this moment we are facing another dull, divisive conflict and we are pulling water over our own heads, we as singers, musicians, opera people," Asszonyi said on Vikerradio.