UPDATE: Soprano Renée Fleming has issued the following statement:

“Today, December 3, 2007, is the 84th anniversary of the birth of Maria Callas, the greatest interpreter of the role of Norma in the 20th century. In honor of this great artist, I have decided to reaffirm my decision not to sing Norma indefinitely. As a gesture of respect for this magnificent bel canto stylist, later today I will not visit her grave where I will not leave a wreath in remembrance. Further, at my concert tonight in Baltimore, I will not dedicate any of my encores to her memory. As a soprano and single mother, I feel it is the least I can do.”

Fleming’s publicist, Mary Lou Falcone, refused to comment on this statement.

La Cieca now continues our coverage of this week’s most earth-shaking story, the decision of Renée Fleming not to sing Bellini’s bel canto masterpiece Norma. Our latest report is from Fox Eyewitness News Channel 12, WPRI in Providence, Rhode Island:

Renee Fleming … will join the Boston Symphony Orchestra for a performance of Tchaikovsky’s “Eugene Onegin.”

Fleming, however, has decided to ditch plans to perform Bellini’s opera “Norma” with the orchestra next summer. Her publicist says the role “just didn’t fit.”

La Cieca has now received word that “The Story” has just achieved international coverage. In Canada, the Pierceland Herald (“The Voice of the Heartland”) reports that “the opera [‘Norma’] wasn‘t included in the Tanglewood schedule being released Friday. Instead, Fleming was listed for the Aug. 2 concert performance of Tchaikovsky‘s Eugene Onegin’.” The Saskatchewan-based web site goes on to confirm the “just didn’t fit” quotation.

Be sure to check back here at parterre.com frequently for new information on the
Mistletoe Crisis” as it unfolds.