Estonian National Opera abolishes casting director post held by Helen Lepalaan
The Estonian National Opera has abolished the post of casting planning head held by Helen Lepalaan. It comes amid a conflict in which soloists have asked the board in a letter to dismiss general director Ott Maaten.
The Estonian National Opera in Tallinn has abolished the position of head of casting planning, held by Helen Lepalaan. The decision comes amid a conflict between Lepalaan and the theatre's soloists, who sent the board a critical letter demanding the resignation of general director Ott Maaten.
The publication Eesti Ekspress first reported the post's removal. Maaten confirmed to it that the information is accurate. He explained that, as part of a reorganisation of the opera department's work, the position is being eliminated, and its former duties have been divided among other staff and the opera's artistic director.
Earlier allegations
In the summer, Eesti Ekspress reported that mezzo-soprano Monika-Evelin Liiv had sent the theatre board a letter. It claimed that Lepalaan, who handles casting planning at Estonia, gave soloists paid singing lessons while also deciding who would get which roles. Maaten said at the time that the theatre had asked police to check the claims. The Police and Border Guard Board closed its investigation into Lepalaan, finding no evidence of a crime.
Lepalaan said on Klassikaraadio in the summer that she had indeed given paid vocal lessons to one staff performer and one foreign soloist. According to her, the theatre's lawyer told her in spring 2025 about rumours that roles could be obtained for money, and she asked for a meeting with representatives of the singers. A meeting was promised for autumn 2025 but never took place. She claimed the singers themselves did not want to meet.
The soloists' letter
Several weeks ago the opera's soloists sent the board a letter demanding Maaten's departure and stating they had no trust in him at all. They named disagreements with Lepalaan as the main reason. In their assessment, no significant change had occurred in the two months since their last meeting with the general director, and promises had not been kept. They asked the board to take the necessary decisions as soon as possible, with staff wellbeing in mind.
