Anita Rachvelishvili sues Metropolitan Opera in New York over dismissal after giving birth
Mezzo-soprano Anita Rachvelishvili sued the Metropolitan Opera and her union, alleging the company unlawfully terminated her contracts because of a vocal issue that developed after she gave birth. She also accused the union of failing to pursue a grievance against the company.
In a complaint filed March 27 in U.S. District Court in Manhattan, the 40-year-old singer from the European nation of Georgia said the Met owed her more than $400,000 from canceled agreements to appear in Verdi's 'Aida' and 'Don Carlo,' Bizet's 'Carmen' and Ponchielli's 'La Gioconda' from 2022 through January 2025. She made her Met debut in 2011 and has sung about 60 performances with the company.
Rachvelishvili said in the lawsuit that she 'was temporarily limited in her very highest vocal range as a result of giving birth,' but has since recovered. She said the Met told her agent on Jan. 28, 2023, that it was canceling 'future engagements due to an alleged deterioration of vocal quality.'
Rachvelishvili's lawsuit also said the American Guild of Musical Artists told her lawyer it would not pursue a grievance or seek arbitration over an alleged breach of contract.
In the lawsuit, first reported by the website Slipped Disc, the singer said the Met violated the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act and restrictions involving pregnancy discrimination under the New York Human Rights Law. She said the Met and AGMA violated their collective bargaining agreement and that the company breached her individual contracts.
'It is important to note that the `pay or play' provision of the AGMA agreement required the Met to pay out her contracts regardless of whether or not the company ultimately used her,' said Len Egert, Rachvelishvili's attorney. 'She went on to sing leading roles in Berlin and Athens, as well as other major venues, with much success during the same period as the cancelled Met performances.'
U.S. District Judge Arun Subramanian scheduled a pretrial conference for July 1.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Where the FIFA Club World Cup 2025 is on TV for free in the UK
The revamped FIFA Club World Cup kicks off this week, with Man City, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Inter Miami among the teams competing Some of the world's best football teams are heading to the USA this week for the start of the FIFA Club World Cup 2025. Touted as FIFA's new 'prime club competition', the Club World Cup is the brainchild of FIFA president Gianni Infantino and has undergone a huge revamp for this year's edition. The competition now features a new format and has been expanded to 32 of the world's best clubs from the six continental confederations. Each team will play across 63 live games over the next month, with every game broadcast for free on DAZN. Manchester City and Chelsea representing the Premier League alongside top European sides including Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan and Bayern Munich. But unlike the UEFA Champions League, these teams will compete against many more from around the globe, with the likes of Inter Miami, Al-Hilal, Boca Juniors and Auckland City all taking part. The 32 teams have been split into eight groups of four, with the top two from each group progressing into the knock-out stages. This means fans could see football's best players face off, with Lionel Messi, Erling Haaland and Kylian Mbappe among those set to feature. The winners stand to win up to £97m ($125m) from the total £774m ($1bn) prize pot, which will be shared between all 32 clubs. The Club World Cup is being held in 12 stadiums across the USA, including New Jersey's MetLife Stadium and Los Angeles' iconic Rose Bowl Stadium. Watch the Club World Cup free on DAZN £0 DAZN Get DAZN here Product Description This means there will be a time difference for those tuning in from the UK, with some games due to kick off in the early hours. Here, we've explained how to watch every game for free and exactly when the action starts. How to watch the Club World Cup for free Every game in the Club World Cup will be broadcast on DAZN, with fans able to stream the action if they register with DAZN Freemium. There's also the option to upgrade to DAZN's ad-free subscription tier from £14.99, which delivers the action with HDR picture quality and Dolby 5.1 Surround Sound. DAZN can be watched anywhere using the DAZN App on smart TVs, smartphones, tablets, games consoles, streaming devices and any device with a web browser. Channel 5 will also broadcast select fixtures throughout the competition, with 23 games available to watch on both DAZN and 5. When does the Club World Cup start? The first game of the Club World Cup is scheduled to kick off at 1am UK time on Sunday, January 15, between Egyptian side Al Ahly and the MLS' Inter Miami at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium. For Premier League fans, here are Chelsea and Man City's group stage fixtures: Chelsea Chelsea vs LAFC – June 16, 8pm KO Flamengo vs Chelsea – June 20, 7pm KO Espérance de Tunis vs Chelsea – June 25, 2am KO Manchester City Man City vs Wydad AC – June 18, 5pm KO Man City vs Al Ain – June 23, 2am KO Juventus vs Man City – June 26, 8pm KO The Club World Cup final is scheduled to kick off at 8pm on July 13. Fans can register with DAZN here to watch every game live and for free.
Scottish Sun
13 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Top European theme park that mums say is better than Disneyland shows off new Wes Anderson-style hotel
Plus, a huge new Premier Inn will open near major airport and will be the largest of its kind in the north of UK SUITE DREAMS Top European theme park that mums say is better than Disneyland shows off new Wes Anderson-style hotel Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A TOP European theme park is welcoming a new premium hotel that looks like it's out of Wes Anderson's world. Dutch theme park Efteling will be opening a new hotel this summer called the Efteling Grand Hotel. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 6 Dutch theme park Efteling will be opening a new hotel this summer Credit: 6 It will follow the fairytale-theme of the park Credit: 6 In total, it will have 140 rooms and suites complete with themed decor Credit: The theme park is already well known for its fairytale theme, with one TikToker - The Travel Mum - dubbing it "better and cheaper than Disneyland". The new addition to the attraction will be the first hotel located within the theme park itself and will open on August 1. The hotel will be themed around a traditional grand dame hotel with stories woven into the design throughout, appearing like a Wes Anderson story. There will be digital check-in, valet parking and luggage handling, upon arrival. A bellhop and Efteling's two princesses will guests in the lobby, where the air will also be infused with the hotel's signature fragrance. The hotel will be spread across seven floors offering 140 rooms and suites, with a total of 644 beds. The biggest room will be able to host six people. The hotel rooms will also overlook the park with different views of the Aquanura water show the House of the Dive Senses entrance, the Fairytale Forest or the Pardoes Promenade Lane. All of the rooms include breakfast at Brasserie 7 and half an hour of early access to the park before it opens to the public. Other features of the rooms include each one having an Efteling Grand Hotel fairytale book. Inside Universal Epic Universe with incredible thrill rides and amazing food The lower ground floor of the hotel will have a swimming pool - availabel only to hotel guests - with spa facilities including a steam room, sauna and massage room. There will also be a multifunctional serenity room where guests can unwind, pray or meditate. The hotel will have two restaurants with Brasserie 7 located on the ground floor and Restaurant-Bar Mystique on the first floor. While Brasserie 7 will serve up a range of classic dishes - which include seven 'magical' ingredients such as princess tears and snow from Mother Holle - Restaurant-Bar Mystique will offer a more premium dining experience. 6 There will also be two restaurants at the site and one cafe Credit: 6 There will also be a swimming pool at the hotel, and spa facilities Credit: Each table will be decorated with edible decorations and the restaurant will be open to the public, as well as park and hotel guests. Café Biscuit will also be a part of the hotel, where baristas will serve coffee and the signature Grand Hotel biscuit. Plans have also been revealed for incredible new 240-room hotel with huge swimming lake, golf and spa near to iconic racetrack. Plus, a huge new Premier Inn will open near major airport and will be the largest of its kind in the north of UK.
The Herald Scotland
13 hours ago
- The Herald Scotland
If I weren't a chef - I might have ended up as an extra on EastEnders
Located in one of the city's oldest neighbourhoods, the building was once among the first public houses in the capital. Montrose is led by the Radford family, the team behind Timberyard and is their second project, opened in 2023 as a relaxed neighbourhood counterpart. It serves generous, modern dishes and low-intervention European wines in an ethereal space with gothic accents. Sustainability lies at the core of Montrose's philosophy. The kitchen focuses on waste reduction, using a 'nose to tail' and 'root to shoot' approach to ensure minimal waste and maximum flavour. Montrose works closely with a select group of local farms to source ingredients that are dictated by the seasons, and the restaurant's design and operational choices are made with sustainability in mind. Read more: This week, Montrose head chef Moray Lamb answers takes on our Q&A: What was your first kitchen job? Oloroso in Edinburgh, a shocking 14 years ago. Where is your favourite place to eat out? In Edinburgh, L'Escargot Bleu Restaurant is a timeless classic. Traditional French food with brilliant Scottish ingredients. What is your guilty pleasure meal? Anything Sichuan with all the offal-y bits. Can you share a memory of your worst kitchen disaster? Undercooking beef Wellingtons for a wedding party. What is your signature dish? I don't have one, I don't really think I'll ever have a signature dish. I like changing the menu too often. Who would you say is your biggest inspiration? The staff. Talking daily about dishes, wine, and what we want to achieve within the restaurant is a big inspiration and drive for me. What is one of your pet peeves as a chef? Chefs who don't get excited about food and drink. If you weren't a chef, what do you think you would be doing with your life? I once was an aspiring actor. I probably would have ended up as an extra on EastEnders. Pictured: Montrose head chef Moray Lamb (Image: Supplied) What's your favourite trick for making cooking at home easier? Deliveroo. What has been one highlight that stands out in your career so far? Being part of an opening team for a restaurant is something I see as a highlight. I've been part of several openings now, and it's always so rewarding seeing people and an idea come together
