Gheorghiu demitida da Lyric Opera of Chicago

Lyric Opera Star Fired For Misbehavior

Soprano Angela Gheorghiu Had Missed Several Rehearsals

(STNG) CHICAGO One of opera's big stars has been fired for conduct unbecoming a diva.

Soprano Angela Gheorghiu, scheduled to sing Mimi in Puccini's "La boheme" at Lyric Opera of Chicago, was dismissed Friday for missing rehearsals, Lyric general director William Mason said. The action marks the first time that Lyric has taken such a drastic action since 1989, when supertenor Luciano Pavarotti was banished from the Civic Opera House.

Gheorghiu, who has a history of misbehavior at other leading opera houses, missed six of 10 rehearsals for "La boheme," which opens Monday. She and her husband, tenor Roberto Alagna, are known as opera's "Love Couple." He has an equally tempestuous record; he made headlines in December after being booed off the stage at La Scala in Milan during Verdi's "Aida."

"An opera is a collaborative process, and there must be a serious artistic commitment from everyone," Mason said. "We can't allow anyone to be a distraction by their lack of respect for their colleagues." - Read More