As dear Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (not pictured) said on at least one occasion, “Und ich habe, mein Lieber, wieder bei diesem kleinen Geschäft gefunden, dass Missverständnisse und Trägheit vielleicht mehr Irrungen in der Welt machen als List und Bosheit. Wenigstens sind die beiden letzteren gewiss seltener.” And nowhere has the truth of this maxim (also known more formally as Hanlon’s Razor) than in the denouement of the recent foofaraw at the West Australia Opera.  

It turns out that nobody “banned” Carmen except WA Opera general manager Carolyn Chard, who apparently just took it on herself to assume that corporate sponsor Healthway (a wellness organization) might object to the depiction of smoking in the work. Not so, says a government health minister: the Healthway guidelines are meant to discourage presentations in which smoking is “glamourised,” and, in the opinion of the minister, that doesn’t happen in Carmen.

So there you are, another defeat for the Nanny State or for hysterical Facebook commenters; you make the call.

La Cieca

James Jorden (who wrote under the names "La Cieca" and "Our Own JJ") was the founder and editor of parterre box. During his 20 year career as an opera critic he wrote for the New York Times, Opera, Gay City News, Opera Now, Musical America and the New York Post. He also raised his voice in punditry on National Public Radio. From time to time he directed opera, including three unsuccessful productions of Don Giovanni. He also contributed a regular column on opera for the New York Observer. James died in October 2023.

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