Controversy Over Angela Georgiou's Performance Attitude
Some Voices Call for 'Refund Requests'
World-renowned opera star Angela Gheorghiu, visiting Korea, has been embroiled in controversy over her conduct during a performance. It was reported that she caused a commotion by storming the stage and protesting to the conductor during the show. Some audience members even demanded refunds.
On the 9th, Yonhap News reported that a disturbance caused by Gheorghiu occurred during the opera Tosca at the Sejong Center Grand Theater the previous day. At that time, tenor Kim Jae-hyung was performing "E lucevan le stelle," and was improvising an encore.
Gheorghiu, who played the lead role of Tosca, suddenly rushed onto the stage, looked at conductor Ji Jung-bae and Kim Jae-hyung, then pointed to her wrist as if indicating there was no time, shrugged her shoulders, and expressed dissatisfaction.
After the encore piece ended, Gheorghiu approached the conductor and stopped the music, reportedly saying, "This is not a recital but an opera," and "Respect me." After the performance, she appeared long after the curtain call had begun, and when boos erupted from the audience, she left without acknowledging them.
Audience members who witnessed Gheorghiu's behavior during the performance criticized her on social media platforms. One spectator seated nearby said, "It is understandable to protest backstage after the performance, but stopping the music on stage and demanding respect?what kind of performance culture is that?"
Another audience member described her attitude as "unforgettably rude," adding, "How much must Korean audiences have been looked down upon for her to act like that?" Other reactions included comments such as, "It's been a long time since I had such an unpleasant experience after paying for a ticket," and "It's hard to imagine such behavior from a top star."
Some audience members are reportedly considering requesting refunds. Tickets for the performance were sold at prices of 200,000 KRW for VIP seats, 150,000 KRW for R seats, and 120,000 KRW for S seats.
Meanwhile, this is not the first time Gheorghiu has protested on stage. During a 2016 Tosca performance in Vienna, Austria, she protested when a fellow performer sang an encore, causing her to stay offstage for a considerable time.
According to media reports, the Sejong Center has requested Gheorghiu to apologize to the audience. However, Gheorghiu has yet to provide any response. The Sejong Center also stated that they are internally discussing some audience members' refund requests.
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