The Calgary Opera has announced that it will be replacing Gabriel Sanchez-Ortega as Angelotti after the bass-baritone displayed the Palestinian flag at the curtain call of the Oct. 16 opening night.
The company said, “During the October 16 opening-night performance of ‘Tosca,’ a cast member displayed a flag during the curtain call. This action was unexpected and unauthorized. Individual political protest contravenes not only company policy, but also our responsibility to create a more connected, caring, and civil society through shared artistic experiences. We recognize that this moment may have affected the audience — as well as cast members, crew, orchestral musicians, and Jubilee staff — in different ways, and we regret any discomfort and distress it caused.”
In response to Calgary Opera’s statement, Sanchez-Ortega took to social media and said, “I have been informed that I have been removed from further performances of ‘Tosca’ with the Calgary Opera following my display of the Palestinian flag during curtain call. I have no regret. This is the state of cultural institutions in Canada. I was informed that financial threats had been made against Calgary Opera. I hold no resentment. After the theatre, (political or otherwise) we all have to go home, and look at ourselves in the mirror. It was my honor to play the role of Angelotti, an escaped political prisoner.”
