The chief executive of the Royal Opera House has written to major patrons, offering an assurance that the decision to cancel a co-pro with Israeli Opera was not in any way political, and that it was taken before 182 staff members anonymously demanded action on Palestine.
The problem with his letter (below) is that it contradicts his earlier statement in which Beard spoke of being ‘appalled by the crisis in Gaza and recognise the deep emotional impact this has had across our community’, as well as mentioning the ‘geopolitical’ aspects of his decision.
This seems to be a very rare instance of a Beard with two faces.
That his missive was leaked to us so quickly and by several recipients shows how little confidence patrons have left in the beleaguered CEO.
Here’s his letter:
Dear Friends and Patrons,
I wanted to take the opportunity to reach out directly to you – our close friends and supporters.
Some of you may have seen recent reports in the media regarding our production of Tosca and events at the Royal Opera House.
I was deeply shocked by the atrocities of 7 October and remain horrified by the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. My thoughts are with all those affected – both at the time and in the months since.
Like many arts organisations and global businesses, we are navigating complex and sensitive issues. Our decision not to hire our new production of Tosca to The Israeli Opera was made from concern for the safety of our team that would be needed to stage it. The decision was made before the receipt of an open letter from RBO staff.
I want to emphasise that this was not a political statement against Israel, but a pragmatic decision taken in challenging circumstances.
At the heart of our organisation is a belief in the power of the arts to speak across boundaries, and a deep respect for the diversity of opinion among our colleagues and audiences. We are proud to provide a space where dialogue, creativity, and understanding can flourish.
Some of you have already reached out, and we’re grateful for that. We are of course happy to provide further information should you wish to contact us on customerservices@roh.org.uk.
Your support means so much, and we remain committed to keeping the lines of communication open and ensuring our stage remains a place for shared cultural appreciation.
Best wishes,
Sir Alex Beard
Chief Executive, Royal Ballet and Opera
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