When, on May 17th, the young Irish mezzo-soprano Tara Erraught performed the role of Octavian in a Glyndebourne Opera production of “Der Rosenkavalier,” an ugly controversy erupted in the British press. A posse of London critics, all male, unleashed some remarkably harsh reviews, focussing more on her appearance than on her singing. She was described as a “chubby bundle of puppy-fat,” as being “stocky” and “dumpy of stature,” as possessing an “intractable physique.” The comme...
When, on May 17th, the young Irish mezzo-soprano Tara Erraught performed the role of Octavian in a Glyndebourne Opera production of “Der Rosenkavalier,” an ugly controversy erupted in the British press. A posse of London critics, all male, unleashed some remarkably harsh reviews, focussing more on her appearance than on her singing. She was described as a “chubby bundle of puppy-fat,” as being “stocky” and “dumpy of stature,” as possessing an “intractable physique.” The comme...
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