I feel like opera has, for many years, skirted issues like this because the voice is often the main consideration - we've accepted caucasian Butterflys and Turandots and Aidas for a long time, because the point has been the singing talent and ability, not so much the physical appearance.
In recent years when there's been a lot of fat shaming in opera ("she doesn't look like a romantic lead" etc) I've been very offended, because somehow weight has been the only factor involved in "realism." Not age, not race, etc. I understand that not everyone likes fat singers, whether that's fair or not, but I can't buy that the only requirement for someone to "look the part" is if they're thin/fit. That's ridiculous.
Age will always be an issue, because we really don't want a 15-year old singer doing Cio-Cio San, etc. Understood.
But I'm glad to see that race is finally being addressed. I'm not sure the opera world is ready (or will ever be ready) to prohibit, say, non-Asians from starring in the classics like Butterfly, but in a situation like this, with a brand new piece written in a time when we're wanting fairer ways to cast, I think it's important that these issues are being brought up. |
