"Cheryl Studer? Who?": These Are The People Who Run The Classical Music Industry

Via our delicious reader Marshie, an appalling anecdote about something that happened during the PR events for Rolando Villazon's new CD; an ugly show of disrespect for la signora Cheryl Studer that fortunately found its way to the Spanish press, for all the world to see:

When (Studer) arrived ... no one from the organization got up to greet her. The international head of the company, at the end of the supper, thanked some of those present, such as conductor Paul McCreesh, but not a word for Studer.

(...)

So, either the record company people did not know who Studer is, or she no longer matters to them because she can't get them a bonus at the end of the year? There are only these two answers, and I prefer the former. Better ignorant than ungrateful, using artists like Kleenex tissues. In what hands they are the record companies?

Bad, bad show. Terrible, really. Who are these people?

Comments

[Les Mitchell]

Yes, it's disrespectful. Studer did enough great work in the 1980's to merit an acknowledgement. I've seen this kind of thing happen before. I was at a Puccini luncheon a few years ago at which the guest of honor was Licia Albanese. When the lecturer began talking about Puccini's operas, he began with "Manon Lescaut" and then proceeded to play the Act II duet as sung by Anna Moffo and Giuseppe di Stefano on a 1962 RCA recording. At the end of the selection, Albanese pointedly asked why they didn't play HER version of the duet which she recorded with Jussi Bjoerling. The lecturer seemed rather embarrassed, as well he should have. It was a terrible oversight.
Obviously, some stupid moron did the same thing to Ms. Studer, albeit in a different way. Stupidity reigns everywhere these days. Why should the classical music industry be any different? Just look at what stage directors are getting away with these days (a good example is that insane "Ballo" that OC posted photos from a few days ago!) It's disgusting.

[Meggy]

You've been hit by the StuderTroll;-)

[CrewMantle]

Couldn't happen to a more deserving h... Looks good on her: karma actually does exist so it would seem. (If Little Miss Nobody Soprano were not around, this trashbag would own the title).

[Mario Papa]

Deutsche Grammophone only care of young beautiful singers and if Netrebko will get fat after the baby is born they will find a new younger thiner singer to her place. They don't care of voice, they don't care when Villazon lose his voice because they can use microphones in the studio and make him good again. They don't care of live opera, they care of CD and posters and DVD in television.

[NHB]

I saw Studer in recital in February in Spain. For the first three Schubert songs her voice was rough and not what it had once been, however once she got into the swing of things out came the glorious lyric sweep and her voice was recognisable once more. In any case most of the lieder had a depth of expression that escapes most of today's stars.

I prefer her to Nepregto for how she sings now, let alone how she was during her prime.

N.

[Marshie]

NHB, except that she didn't open the recital with Schubert but with Schumann. As for DGG, not until the wolves apologize to the artist for their indiscretion will this music lover feed them a dime. No need to say that DGG used to be a prestigious record company to behold. But with this latest flareup in Madrid and, long before that, the crossover dreck they've been trying to push on us, well, they've lost quite a few customers while gaining Nada. It's pretty much over. Kaput. That said, I DO want Hillary Hahn's new disc of Schoenberg and Sibelius violin concertos but that will have to wait until the aforementioned apologia comes frothing from their jaws. FWIW, that is.

[jessica.Cr]

Hm.. imo, there are some singers including Studer
of course, the original problem can be found in the company itself. But that's not all the reason for it
Singers also have the responsibilities on that ignorance.
wrong management of their voice and no more-unpleasant voice to the public
for example, sumi jo has been booed from the met and forgotten in famous revenues
it's up to her declined voice and no more studies though she had also splendid voice at one times

[Marshie]

Hm.. imo, think you missed the boat on this one. It's the principle...