The Sejong Center insists that there was no “formal agreement” on encores during the performance of “Tosca” that soprano Angela Gheorghiu interrupted.

The famed soprano stopped a performance of “Tosca” on Sunday during an encore of “E lucevan le stelle,” demanding “respect.” She was promptly booed at the curtain call and then issued a statement claiming that an agreement had been made to not do encores.

“It was agreed and confirmed with the conductor and the production team of ‘Tosca’ in advance that there would be no encores made by any of the performers. Ms. Gheorghiu believes firmly that encores outside of a concert-performance setting disrupt the narrative flow of opera,” read her statement from Gheorghiu’s management. “Despite this agreement, shortly before Act two, the conductor proposed an encore of her aria, ‘Vissi d’arte,’ which Ms. Gheorghiu again declined in order to maintain the integrity of the performance. Regrettably, this decision was not honored in the case of the tenor’s Act three aria, which Ms. Gheorghiu perceived as a personal affront, given her strong convictions on this matter.”

But the performance’s organizers are claiming that Gheorghiu is not telling the truth.

“The soprano conveyed her wish, through her manager, that there be no encores for any of the performers, including herself. However, this cannot be considered a formal agreement,” an official of the theater per The Korea Times. “The encore was decided and carried out in response to the overwhelming applause and support from the audience after the tenor’s aria. This decision lies with the conductor and is not determined solely by one singer’s preference.

“The encore was decided and carried out in response to the overwhelming applause and support from the audience after the tenor’s aria. This decision lies with the conductor and is not determined solely by one singer’s preference,” the official added.  “If the soprano felt the need to protest the disregard of her philosophy and opinion regarding encores, there were sufficient alternative methods other than disrupting the performance. It is highly regrettable that this situation unfolded the way it did.”