The 30-year-old “Dune” actor Timothée Chalamet probably didn’t expect such a fierce public reaction after recently appearing alongside Matthew McConaughey on a 70-minute Variety & CNN talk show. The internet is currently flooded with backlash from various people in the opera and ballet world who are not willing to simply accept Chalamet’s critical statement.
But what exactly is this all about? When Chalamet was talking to McConaughey about topics such as the future of the film industry and audience interest, he mentioned that he didn’t want to work in areas such as ballet or opera – “things where you say, ‘Hey, keep this thing alive even though no one is interested in it anymore'”.
Although Chalamet quickly added that he has the utmost respect for all “ballet and opera people out there, “ the critical voices were not long in coming. Many people point out that ballet and opera are still very much alive art forms today, attracting a considerable audience every year and preserving valuable artistic traditions.
Weimer invites Chalamet to the opera
After numerous renowned opera houses around the world responded to the situation online with a mixture of quick-witted humor and criticism – including the Bavarian State Opera and State Ballet, the Hamburg State Opera, and the Vienna State Opera – German Minister of State for Culture Wolfram Weimer has also spoken out. In an interview with the “Rheinische Post, “ he cordially invites Chalamet to “visit one of our great concert halls or music theaters on his next visit to Germany, talk to artists, and observe them at their high-performance work.”
In his opinion, you can “be wrong” if you haven’t experienced ballet or opera up close and live. Germany is virtually the world leader in orchestras, opera houses, and great dance ensembles, and with his invitation, he hopes to introduce Chalamet to “the magic of opera and the beauty of dance.” Weimer added, “After that, you can only say: It was really awesome.“
If Chalamet (whose grandmother, mother, and sister all danced with the New York City Ballet, by the way) would prefer a gentler introduction to the genre , he could also look into modern variations such as Ballet of Lights, which presents an abridged version of the two- to three-hour classical performances and could impress with its sparkling costumes and impressive lighting.