Where is Kathleen Battle, and what do you think was wrong with her?

Question

We all know her reputation, but most of her friends that started out with her said she was NOTHING like a temperamental diva people say she is. Do you think something went on behind the scenes that we just don't know about careerwise? Do you think the pressure was too much for her or if something more delicate took place? 

One professional coach said she was really manic depressive, and was mentally unstable from a medical standpoint. A friend of mine who met her said she acted unstable as if something was REALLY wrong with her, beyond her diva rep. Some just say she's just a b.... 

I'm not trying to defend K, because I can't stand egomaniacs. It just seems as if something is missing from the puzzle in the press. Something we just don't know. Do you think she is misrepresented, or do you think she was just smelling herself. Or heck is it a little bit of both.  I'm just curious as to what people think. I just saw a recent youtube performance, and she didn't seem to be the old Kathleen on stage. And she's only 59, opera singers can still be incredible at that age.

Anyone else you know that's been though a similar experience? I had to cut one friend of mine loose because of her erratic behavior, but she wound up in the mental hospital. I kind of felt bad, but she was so draining to deal with.

Alberich · Accepted Answer

I'm much, much less qualified to address your question regarding Miss Battle and the demise of her career, than your first two responders.

     I can only vouch for "del_icious" credibility and integrity; have known him for quite sometime now, and can assure you he is what he says he is: a long time professional in the music management field.  And recommend that if you don't have him as one of your contacts yet,  you make him one: possesses an unbelievable degree of knowledge regarding any and all things relating to music.

     For great artists - in any field of endeavor - to have mental problems in conjunction with their artistry, is not uncommon.  But why she in particular seems to have so mysteriously "disappeared from the scene", is another issue: inexplicable in my opinion.

     I too have had to "cut loose", dis-engaged from  those I have known who suffered from severe mental problems; when to have continued, became no longer reasonable: sad, but one has to be careful so as to not wind up in the proverbial "wheel-chair" with them.

                                       Best regards,

                                                       Alberich

P.S.-May I request that you review my question regarding, "Il Guarany"?  Have surprisingly at least to me, received only one response; had thought there would have been at least a few patrons of this program, that would have been familiar with, or at least have heard of it.

? · Answer

I'm afraid World War III has it dead right, and you have it dead wrong. The USA has a demonstrable and proven history of targeting civilians and of instigating, funding, and backing terrorism. I could be here all day with the details, so instead I'll just advise you to look up Operation Cyclone, Operation Menu, Operation Ranch Hand, the shooting down of IranAir 655, the Mai Lai massacre, and the CIA's pet projects in Latin America Operation Condor & Operation Charlie. Then tell me with a straight face that the USA doesn't do terrorism & the murder of innocents. It does little else.

del_icious_manager · Answer

I am in the music profession and Kathleen Battle has a terrible reputation for temper tantrums, making unreasonable demands and generally being a nasty piece of work. There are several opera houses around the world who refuse to have her there anymore. Her terrible reputation is fully justified, unfortunately.

Maybe she finally ran out of places willing to put up with her awful behaviour.

toutvas bien · Answer

having heard some of the stories from people who were there ..... the implied statement was more toward the idea that she wasn't stable and was extremely troubled ... and their attitude towards her was more sad and sympathetic (even if they would never work with her again) ...
PS can't name names ... swore confidentiality

Anonymous · Answer

i think she an african american soprano?

Where is Kathleen Battle, and what do you think was wrong with her?

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