Zuzana Marková to Replace Angel Blue in Arena di Verona’s ‘La Traviata’

By Francisco Salazar

Zuzana Marková is set to replace Angel Blue at the Arena di Verona in a production of “La Traviata.” 

The Czech soprano took to Instagram to announce her performance on July 22. She said, “Guess where am I? Becoming Violetta tomorrow night!” She posted the photo with the hashtags #latraviata, #violetta, #unexpected, and #vivaverdi. 

The Arena di Verona did not make the change official as it still has Angel Blue listed for the performance.

Blue canceled the high-profile debut after the controversy over the company’s use of Blackface in a production of “Aida.” The soprano said, “Dear Friends, Family, and Opera Lovers, I have come to the unfortunate conclusion that I will not be singing La Traviata at Arena di Verona this summer as planned. As many of you know, Arena di Verona recently made the decision to utilize blackface makeup in a recent production of Aida. Let me be perfectly clear: the use of blackface under any circumstances, artistic or otherwise, is a deeply misguided practice based on archaic theatrical traditions which have no place in modern society.”

She added that it was “offensive, humiliating, and outright racist.”

The soprano received support from many of her colleagues but later deleted her social media accounts.

Marková joins a cast that includes Simone Piazzola and Francesco Meli. Marco Armiliato conducts. 

Blue is still listed for the July 30 performance with the Arena di Verona stating “Angel, we and the audience of the Arena di Verona look forward to meeting you: it will be the opportunity for dialoguing in a constructive and concrete way, beginning with your reflections.”

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