Angela Gheorghiu Defends Her No-Encore Policy

Romanian soprano Angela Gheorghiu addressed recent headlines about her opposition to encores during opera performances. Referring to a South Korea incident where she stopped a colleague from repeating an aria, Gheorghiu emphasized that operas should not be disrupted by additional interludes, citing legendary conductors like Georg Solti and Arturo Toscanini who shared this stance.

She recalled refusing an encore of Vissi d'arte during the same performance, adhering to her principle of preserving the opera's flow. Gheorghiu also criticized tenor Jonas Kaufmann for an encore during a 2016 Vienna performance, calling it a disappointment after his prior agreement to avoid encores.

Gheorghiu stated that repeated arias often lack the quality of their first rendition and belong in solo concerts, not operas. Known for rejecting experimental productions that stray from the libretto, she underscored her careful role choices and noted her vocal health compared to peers.

The soprano also highlighted her dedication to music education and preserving opera's recording legacy.