Opera Australia Releases Soprano Tamar Iveri Due to 'Unconscionable' Homophobic Rants

Opera Australia has released Georgian soprano Tamar Iveri from fulfilling her contract to perform Otello, due to her recent posts on her Facebook page, drescribing views of gay people as "unconscionable".

She referred to gay people as "faecal masses". She said:

"I was quite proud of the fact how Georgian society spat at the parade ... Often, in certain cases, it is necessary to break jaws in order to be appreciated as a nation in the future, and to be taken into account seriously," the post said. It was deleted following the recent backlash.

"Please, stop vigorous attempts to bring the west's 'faecal masses' in the mentality of the people by means of propaganda."

Opera Australia responded then released its own Facebook post, saying Iveri would not perform the role of Desdemona in Otello.

"Opera Australia has reached agreement with Ms Iveri to immediately release her from her contract with the company. Opera Australia believes the views as stated to be unconscionable."

The production is still set to open on July 5 as planned, and a replacement would be announced "shortly". For more information on the production, visit: http://opera.org.au/whatson/events/otellosydney

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