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Neil McGowan
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« on: October 08, 2012, 01:19:44 pm » |
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I suppose this is the way the world works? Three weeks ago my partner [MP] got a call from the National Opera of a Major Oil-Producing Nation. (MOPN).
3 weeks ago:
MOPN: Are you free to perform as one of three headline soloists in a Presidential Gala Concert? It's on our national tv channel, in the presence of the President. It's in memory of our famous baritone [name withheld]. The other headline soloists are [two famous showbiz stars] and the show is hosted by [major movie star]. The first half is classical, of course - we want you to sing the Tosca/Scarpia duet, also the sop/tenor duet from Cavalleria Rusticana, and any Tchaikovsky aria of your choice. Finally you have to sing our National Anthem as a solo number at the end.
MP: Yes, I would love to - what are the arrangements?
MOPN: You will fly on private plane which we will send for you. You will stay at the President's own hotel, everything paid.
MP: And my fee?
MOPN: Well, you know, with [names of the showbiz stars] appearing, you won't be disappointed?!
1 day before leaving:
MP: You're promised for three weeks to send me the tickets, and the music of your national anthem, and still nothing. Is this event actually happening or not?
MOPN: Sorry-sorry-sorry! Everything by email this evening.
Day of Departure:
MP: OK, no tickets, no hotel name, no music? I'm not coming.
MOPN: Go to the airport at 10:30, our Consul will meet you and escort you to the private plane. The music and your fee are with him.
(the plane is there - but no music, and no fee. Flies to the capital, and is taken by limousine to a top 5* hotel, with flowers.
Day before the concert
MOPN: The baritone is ill, he cannot perform. We want you to sing a Verdi aria in place of the Puccini duet. Also our National Composer has written an Ave Maria for you to perform, a car will take you to his house, he will teach you the music.
MP: But what about the orchestral rehearsal for the rest of the concert?
MOPN: Tomorrow. Tomorrow.
Day of the concert
[The orchestra have been given the music of 'Caro nome' from RIGOLETTO]
MP: I can't sing this, are you joking? It's for a coloratura soprano. You asked me to sing Tosca originally, remember?
MOPN: It's for soprano. You are soprano.
MP: I am doing this to help you because your baritone is sick. I will sing anything from Macbeth, Forza del Destino, or Nabucco. But not Rigoletto.
MOPN: OK, we rehearse other music, we find your notes, don't worry.
The CAV duet is rehearsed & the Tchaikovsky. They bring the music for "Una Voce Poco Fa' from 'The Barber Of Seville'
MP: This isn't even Verdi. It's for a mezzo-soprano, and I don't know this music.
MOPN: OK, we leave it out. No more time for rehearsal.
MP: Are you going to rehearse the Ave Maria, or the National Anthem?
MOPN: No time!
[The concert goes well. Everyone is happy. Even the Ave Maria and National Anthem are ok]
MOPN: The driver who takes you to the airport tomorrow will have an envelope for you.
Today
The driver knows nothing. MP returns unpaid. No-one is answering their phones.
Ho-hum
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jimfin
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« Reply #1 on: October 08, 2012, 02:25:48 pm » |
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What can one say, but dreadful, dreadful behaviour! My sympathies to MP (your partner)!
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JimL
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« Reply #2 on: October 08, 2012, 05:34:33 pm » |
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This is a Western Hemisphere country, isn't it? Latin American, to be precise?
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Neil McGowan
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« Reply #3 on: October 08, 2012, 05:35:43 pm » |
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This is a Western Hemisphere country, isn't it? Latin American, to be precise?
Errr, I am not supposed to say. But ex-soviet would be nearer the mark ;) |
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JimL
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« Reply #4 on: October 08, 2012, 05:40:14 pm » |
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Now that's interesting! An ex-Soviet bloc nation that is a major oil producer, with (apparently) a majority Catholic population, with a National Opera and a famous deceased baritone. Hmmmmmmmmm...
It's not in the top 15 MOPNs is it?
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tapiola
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« Reply #5 on: October 08, 2012, 07:21:30 pm » |
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Rumania. The Ploesti oil fields.
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t-p
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« Reply #6 on: October 08, 2012, 08:18:28 pm » |
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I personally think that the world works in mysterious ways. I am not used to being paid much. I think one has to be ready to work for free, but it is only possible if one has another income.
In some countries Art council gives so much money to some artists that they have to look for subcontractors (so to say) to do their job. Yet others go with nothing.
Educating children is on agenda now. But they want to do it in such a way that only artists are paid, the rest rely on their ingenuity and entrepreneurial skills.
People are equal but some are more equal than others (I think I know it from my East bloc country days).
One can see how money are waisted but can do nothing about it (you have to be big artist that they listen to you). In my age I only can sympathise with people or try to help, but it is painful to watch.
It is sad to see that what I saw in the above mentioned East European country is repeating itself in front of my eyes again.
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JimL
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« Reply #7 on: October 08, 2012, 10:29:07 pm » |
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Could be. I get the idea from Neil's response to my conjecture that it may be a former SSR, e.g. one of the Baltic nations or Belarus. Except I don't see that any of them are MOPNs. The only former SSRs that are seem to be all majority Muslim, so I don't think there would be any national composers producing an Ave Maria...
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Neil McGowan
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« Reply #8 on: October 09, 2012, 05:42:08 am » |
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so I don't think there would be any national composers producing an Ave Maria...
Svetlana was surprised at that too ;) But yes, it's the Caspian rim that's involved here :) Lots of oil and gas under that Sea :) |
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JimL
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« Reply #9 on: October 09, 2012, 03:25:25 pm » |
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I've taken a look at the Caspian Rim nations. I think I can safely rule out Iran. As far as the rest, frankly, I wouldn't be surprised about any of them behaving so shoddily. If that's a real word. Spellcheck seems to think it is.
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guest224
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« Reply #10 on: October 09, 2012, 08:46:24 pm » |
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It's definitely Azerbaijan! Everyone I know who has had business dealings (in whatever sector) has a similar story, and wishes the places would sink into the sea, which apparently, given the way they have (apparently) been extracting oil from underneath Baku, could be a not-too-distant prospect. Slightly surprised by the Ave Maria, though they are obsesses with trying to appear "European". I am sorry you have been through this.
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JimL
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« Reply #11 on: October 10, 2012, 12:47:43 am » |
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Many of the former SSRs have become kleptocracies rivaling Nigeria. I'd beware of any such invitations from any of them, and always insist on payment in advance or it's no deal.
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Neil McGowan
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« Reply #12 on: October 10, 2012, 09:40:47 am » |
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Although I'm unable to confirm or deny the suggestions above, I ought to mention that MP has previously sung the title role in a series of TOSCA performances for them - and on that occasion was paid as agreed. Although that was for the opera house, rather than directly for the Presidential administration :(
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JimL
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« Reply #13 on: October 10, 2012, 05:35:07 pm » |
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As I said. Kleptocracy = Rulers as thieves. Or con-men. Or welshers. Etc.
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