The Richard Tucker Music Foundation announced that it would remove David Tucker, the son of the organization’s eponymous opera singer, from its Board of Directors, effective immediately. The decision was made after the singer’s so posted a series of racist and offensive comments on a July 18 Facebook post by Julia Bullock, a Black soprano. In response to Bullock sharing an article on the detainment of Black Lives Matter protestors in Portland, Oregon, Tucker wrote, “Get rid of these thugs and I don’t care where you send them. They are a Pox on our society.”

In subsequent comments, Tucker wrote, “Bravo to Trump to send in Federal troops,” “the police have been castrated by the Left.”

Among the people who called for Tucker0’s resignation from the foundation’s Board was mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato: “I’ve informed the Foundation that I can no longer serve on the Board unless he is removed and his comments denounced,”

« The Richard Tucker Music Foundation condemns the hurtful and offensive comments made by one of our Board members, David Tucker, » the Foundation posted to its Facebook page July 20. « David has been removed from the Richard Tucker Foundation Board of Directors, effective immediately. David’s opinions do not align with the beliefs and mission of the Richard Tucker Music Foundation, a Foundation built on the legacy of a Jewish-American singer who sought to bridge religious and cultural differences. (…) The Foundation recognizes the need to find ways we can better apply core values of equality and inclusion across our organization and programs. We know that we can improve our auditions and awards process to create more equitable opportunities and increase diversity organization-wide. To this end, we are currently assembling a diversity advisory task force of artists and thought leaders to address these issues. We look forward to openly sharing our next steps and continuing to support the next generation of operatic talent. » The statement was signed by Jeffrey Manocherian, Chairman, and Barry Tucker, President, Richard Tucker Music Foundation Board of Directors. Barry Tucker is Richard Tucker’s oldest son.

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