Estonian National Opera Corruption Allegations Now with Law Enforcement
Estonian National Opera has reported alleged corruption to the police and launched an internal audit following media reports of role purchasing, workplace bullying, and biased casting.
The Estonian National Opera (Rahvusooper) has reported alleged corruption to the police, its supervisory board chair Ivari Ilja said. The move follows investigative paper Eesti Ekspress's allegations concerning corruption and workplace bullying.
Ilja stated that the most serious allegation is that roles at the opera can be purchased. The supervisory board decided to commission an internal audit and, on July 1, filed a report with the police for a thorough investigation.
The board also acknowledged issues in the relationship between management and Estonian opera singers working abroad, and is seeking solutions to improve cooperation. The board recommended management introduce systems to ensure a modern working environment.
According to articles by Eesti Ekspress and LP, employees have long complained about a poor working atmosphere. Soloists' elected representative Heldur Harry Põlda said tensions and lack of trust have been building for years, and management had been repeatedly informed. Complaints include serious workplace bullying by conductor Heli Jürgenson, whose employment has since been terminated.
Several leading Estonian opera singers working abroad accused casting director Helen Lepalaan of a corrupt casting policy. Lepalaan allegedly provided paid singing lessons to Estonia soloists while also deciding casting, resulting in preferential treatment for those paying for lessons.
Director-general Ott Maaten confirmed the allegations are taken seriously and that a police investigation will begin immediately. Ilja wrote in an opinion piece that dissatisfaction has long existed and is more a cultural issue than individual incidents, with chronic underfunding being the root cause affecting the entire organization.
