Dutch National Opera Admits Misconduct of Guest Director, Takes Action
Amsterdam,Netherlands – The Dutch National Opera has admitted that guest director Andriy Zholdakengaged in unacceptable behavior during the production of Beethoven’s Fidelio, prompting the company to take immediate action. The opera company’s statement, released on Saturday, follows a report in the Dutch newspaper Het Parool detailing Zholdak’s impulsive, inappropriate, and intimidating behavior during rehearsals.
Theallegations against Zholdak, who is not a permanent employee of the Dutch National Opera, include physical touching without consent, specifically an incident during an ensemble rehearsal where he touched an extra on the buttock/hip. The company acknowledges that Zholdak was repeatedly addressed about his problematic working methods and transgressive behavior, but the behavior persisted.
Zholdak should have asked permission for this in advance, in accordance with our protocol, the statement reads. The extra in questionthen made a formal report of transgressive behavior.
Following the report, Zholdak was denied access to the theater, and discussions were held with those involved. The director subsequently apologized to the employees. Despite the initial concerns, the opera company ultimately allowed the production to continue under strict conditions.
The Dutch National Operastates that they were unaware of Zholdak’s controversial past behavior, which has been documented in previous interviews. In a 2016 press conference in Romania, Zholdak reportedly described his directing style as Nazi and likened his actors to dogs who must obey his sexual commands.
The company emphasizes that the decision to continue the production was also influenced by the wishes of the employees involved. However, the incident raises serious questions about the opera company’s vetting process and its commitment to creating a safe and respectful working environment.
This incident highlights the growing awareness of sexual misconduct in the arts industry. The Dutch NationalOpera’s response, while acknowledging the seriousness of the situation, has been criticized by some for not taking a stronger stance against Zholdak.
The opera company’s statement concludes by stating that Zholdak will not be invited to work with them again. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of addressingpower imbalances and ensuring that artists and employees feel safe and respected in their working environments.
References:
- Dutch National Opera Press Release, October 26, 2024
- Het Parool, October 26, 2024
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