The Heldentenor criticised OA for repetitive choices and employing “second rate” international singers.

Stuart Skelton has taken Australia’s national opera company to task for what he sees as repetitive programming, utilising government subsidy to produce musicals and casting “second rate” international singers over home grown talent. Sydney-born Skelton, today’s most sought after Tristan who has received excellent notices recently in London and New York, made the comments in a wide-ranging interview with Mark Pullinger at online classical music site Bachtrack. In the same interview, he also took aim at English National Opera’s new Artistic Director Daniel Kramer and the senior management team at London’s troubled ‘second’ opera house.

Stuart Skelton. Photo by Sim Cannetty-Clarke

“How many times can you do Gale Edwards’ Bohème? Four times in six seasons?” he replied, when asked why he wasn’t performing any more with Opera Australia. “And it’s not selling any more. The subscribers aren’t going back because they’re getting the same stuff over and over and over again. Okay, they’ve increased ticket sales but they’ve increased ticket sales to My Fair Lady. I understand that it’s paying the bills and that’s...