Hampson’s zoo break out
With only one exception in 2010, Thomas Hampson has decided to no longer perform in Austria: a country that has been his home for some years now. Both his apartment on the outskirts of Vienna and his office near the Vienna Staatsoper were sold recently. “My career interests for the United States have been increasing more and more. I feel it is the right place for my art” said Hampson recently to Der Standard. He will be heading to NYC to work with the Library of Congress, Manhattan School of Music, and the New York Philharmonic.
Since Hampson’s Austrian partner Andrea Herberstein was arrested for tax evasion (claimed too many private zoo animals for tax exemption that didn’t indeed exist in Tierpark Herberstein), his life has been under scrutiny and continuous harassment by the tax authorities. The singer’s house and office has been searched and he will be required to pay taxes for 2003/2004, a time of transition for him from the States to Austria (he paid US taxes instead).
Thomas Hampson has decided not to participate in the much anticipated Vienna Staatsoper production of Macbeth. In 2010 he will be performing in Parsifal for one night only: the evening of the retirement of Vienna Staatsoper Director Ioan Holender.
As an alumni of Manhattan School of Music I’m pleased to see where he’s placing his focus… but I will miss having an American star living here.
As glad I am that my favorite singer will be spending more time in the UK, I must say that I will never understand why rich people gripe so much about paying taxes. I’d bet a month’s salary that his take home pay is higher than mine, even with having to pay more taxes.
[Reply]
Lili Reply:
February 12th, 2009 at 6:24 pm
Obviously, I meant to say “spending more time in the US,” not “UK.”
[Reply]