National Opera reports corruption suspicions to police and commissions internal audit
The National Opera of Estonia reported corruption and workplace environment concerns to police in early July, whilst also initiating an internal audit.
National Opera reports corruption suspicions to police and commissions internal audit
The Estonian National Opera filed a report with police on 1 July to investigate possible corruption, according to board chair Ivari Ilja. At the same time, the institution also commissioned an internal audit to thoroughly investigate claims raised in the media.
The report follows articles in the newspaper Eesti Ekspress, which highlighted problems concerning both corruption and workplace environment issues. "The most serious allegation, which also appeared in the headline of the Eesti Ekspress article, is that obtaining roles at the National Opera is purchasable," explained Ilja. The board decided to commission an internal audit to investigate the matter thoroughly.
On 25 June, Eesti Ekspress reported that internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano Monika-Evelin Liiv sent a letter to the opera's board and management in which she claimed that leading Estonian soloists who work internationally have been effectively excluded from performance opportunities at the National Opera. The reason given was that casting director Helen Lepalaan provides paid singing lessons to Estonian soloists whilst simultaneously deciding role allocations. As a result, many internationally successful opera singers have had to seek work elsewhere.
In addition to corruption suspicions, the media has also reported serious workplace environment problems. Members of the opera choir have accused conductor Heli Jürgenson of workplace harassment. Jürgenson's employment was subsequently terminated after part of the choir refused to continue working with her. National Opera General Director Ott Maaten commented cautiously on the matter: "This is a sensitive issue for us, which we do not comment on in the media."
Heldur Harry Põlda, the elected representative of the soloists, told the current affairs programme "Aktuaalne kaamera" that tensions and mistrust have accumulated over years. "We have indeed had many tensions over the years and quite a bit of internal drama. There was a faint hope that everything could be resolved behind closed doors, but since this has now become public, we need to address it from both sides," he said.
The board recommended that management implement systems to ensure the workplace environment conforms to contemporary standards. Maaten confirmed that the allegations are being taken very seriously: "These are indeed very serious allegations and we are taking them very seriously. We have filed a report with police and begun internal oversight. The police investigation will begin immediately and we want to reach a very, very clear conclusion."
Ilja expressed the view on ERR that dissatisfaction and tensions in the organisation have persisted for a long time. In his assessment, the root cause of the problems is the theatre's chronic underfunding, which affects the entire organisation—soloists, choir, orchestra musicians, ballet company and backstage staff. This also limits repertoire planning and the number of guest soloists.
Source: ERR News, https://news.err.ee/1610070070/board-chair-national-opera-corruption-allegations-now-with-law-enforcement
Source: ERR News