Follow Newser on Twitter   Friend Newser on Facebook
Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Opera Stars Ditch Japan Tour Over Radiation Fears

Experts say there's nothing to worry about

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted May 31, 2011 12:15 PM CDT

(Newser) – A pair of New York’s top opera stars due to sing in Japan have canceled their performances following the earthquake, the AP reports. Now, the Metropolitan Opera has to “scour the world” to find replacement singers for soprano Anna Netrebko and tenor Joseph Calleja, even though experts said the trip to Tokyo and Nagoya was safe. “Part of what makes opera such an exciting art form is that it is so unpredictable," said a rep for the Met. "If there were a rationality clause in opera singers' contracts, not many opera singers would perform."

General Manager of New York's Metropolitan Opera Peter Gelb reacts during a press conference in Tokyo, Tuesday, May 31, 2011.
General Manager of New York's Metropolitan Opera Peter Gelb reacts during a press conference in Tokyo, Tuesday, May 31, 2011.   (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi)
Russian opera singer Anna Netrebko, wearing a traditional Black Forest hat, catches bubbles during a German TV game show on April 30, 2011.
Russian opera singer Anna Netrebko, wearing a traditional Black Forest hat, catches bubbles during a German TV game show on April 30, 2011.   (Getty Images)
Joseph Calleja as Alfredo professes his love for Violetta, played by Elizabeth Futral, during rehearsal for Verdi's La Traviata Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007.
Joseph Calleja as Alfredo professes his love for Violetta, played by Elizabeth Futral, during rehearsal for Verdi's La Traviata Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007.   (AP Photo/M. Spencer Green)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
My TakeCLICK BELOW TO VOTE
14%
10%
10%
10%
10%
48%
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
HappyHabenero
May 31, 2011 4:50 PM CDT
smart move
pg13
May 31, 2011 1:54 PM CDT
It's a prudent move for the singers, considering the ever-changing spin on the meltdowns.   First it was "we'll never have a meltdown, these reactors are way safer than Chernobyl's".    Then it was "OK, we had a meltdown, but it's not so bad, we don't even need to evacuate."   Then it was "stay away, we'll clean this up by year's end".    Then it was "please eat our glowing vegetables and seafood, they're good for you!"
vjh
May 31, 2011 1:37 PM CDT
Maybe the radiation would improve their singing?  Worth a shot. (sorry. Not an opera fan)

More Newser Stories

Radiation Found in Japanese Baby Formula

Tepco Halts Water Filtering at Fukushima

Japan: Here, Eat Some Veggies

Fukushima Endgame: Years, a Fortune Away

Fukushima: Big Radiation Spike Was Wrong


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Timelines   |   Geek Sugar   |   Business Insider   |   HuffPost Entertainment