Cecilia Bartoli has released a new statement after a controversial social media post on June 21, 2019.

The mezzo-soprano, who stated that she had never signed to do a production of Handel’s “Giulio Cesare” clarified that she withdrew from the production in solidarity to Alexander Periera’s ousting at the Teatro alla Scala.

She stated “When it was communicated on June 18 that the contract of the actual general manager of the Teatro alla Scala Alexander Pereira was not extended, Cecilia Bartoli – as a sign of solidarity – withdrew from the new production of Handel’s ‘Giulio Cesare’ on June 19 and immediately requested the management of the Scala to cancel her name from the production list and not to sell tickets making reference to her.”

The statement continued, “The management of la Scala didn’t follow the request and on June 21 started to sell tickets still indicating that Cecilia Bartoli is singing the role of Cleopatra. Cecilia Bartoli insisted again to correct but the Scala was not prepared to follow the request. This unacceptable behavior forced Cecilia Bartoli to inform her fans via social media and on her website that she would not participate in the production. Cecilia is very sorry that many of her fans have already bought tickets and hopes that this statement will help to understand the situation.”

Bartoli has not announced if she will sing the productions of “Semele” and “Ariodante’ as she signed a three-year contract to sing three Handel operas. As of this date she is still listed for the 2019-20 season to perform “Semele.”

The Teatro alla Scala has not announced who will replace Bartoli in “Giulio Cesare” as of yet.

“Giulio Cesare” opens on Oct. 18 and will star Bejun Mehta, Sara Mingardo, Philippe Jaroussky, and Christophe Dumaux.