Calgary Opera removes Tosca performer who displayed Palestinian flag during opening-night curtain call

A Calgary Opera performer has been removed from his role after displaying a Palestinian flag during its opening-night performance of Tosca.

Gabriel Sanchez-Ortega was told he would be dismissed from two future performances of the opera after displaying the flag during Friday night’s curtain call, he posted on Instagram.

“I was informed that financial threats had been made against Calgary Opera,” Sanchez-Ortega stated. “I hold no resentment. After the theatre, (political or otherwise) we all have to go home and look at ourselves in the mirror. It was my honour to play Angelotti, an escaped political prisoner.”

Sanchez-Ortega, who was making his Calgary Opera debut, said he has no regrets about his actions.

Calgary Opera, in a statement Monday, said it prohibits personal protests at its performances. The display of any protest symbol or action would result in similar consequences, it said.

“We have reiterated this prohibition to all artists and staff, and will continue to apply it universally
in response to all cases of unauthorized protest, regardless of the symbol or action that protest takes,” the statement reads.

“With respect to the cast member in question, he did not appear in (Sunday’s) performance of Tosca and will not appear in the October 24, 2026 closing performance. Beyond that, Calgary Opera does not comment on personnel matters.”

Sanchez-Ortega is a bass in his first year of Calgary Opera’s McPhee Artist Development Program, according to its website. It’s unclear if he will take part in future Calgary Opera productions this season.

The online biography states Sanchez-Ortega is cast in the title role of the Pied Piper in November, along with roles in Cinderella in January, and Otello next April.

Calgary Opera said in a Facebook post a day after the incident that his actions were unexpected and unauthorized.

Individual political protest contravenes their company policy and their responsibility to create a connected, caring, and civil society through shared artistic experiences, they said.

“We recognize that this moment may have affected the audience — as well as cast members, crew, orchestral musicians and Jubilee staff — in different ways and we regret any discomfort and distress it caused,” Calgary Opera said.

“We have addressed this matter directly with the cast member and reinforced our expectations with the cast and production team. Our commitment is to provide a welcoming and respectful environment for our artists, audiences and community.”

Giacomo Puccini’s Tosca is a political thriller that takes place over two days in Rome during the Napoleonic wars. Sanchez-Ortega was cast in the the role of Cesare Angelotti, an escaped political prisoner.

The role of Angelotti has been filled by another member, it said.

Catch up with the day’s headlines, curated by our editors and delivered to your email inbox at lunchtime on every business day. Sign up now for the Calgary Herald Noon News Roundup.