Luciano Pavarotti

The British Royal Opera House’s director of music has hit out at the current generation of opera singers in a scathing attack, claiming that they don’t have the stamina of their predecessors and are physically weaker.

The Daily Telegraph reports that Sir Antonio Pappano, 53 years-old, fumed “There’s something in this generation of singers that they are weaker in body or don't care. It’s very frustrating for me personally." He refused to specify which singers he meant, but continued: “It’s just a different generation. The previous generation are about a contract is a contract. The attitude is not the same but for us it’s a big deal.” One of the reasons, he reckoned, is because “the idea of a contract is taken much more lightly”, claiming that the older generation would be on their “death beds” before pulling out.

He also came up with a pretty baffling generalization as to why they were pulling out of shows, citing “Physically their organs are not as strong. I don’t mean to be down on singers,” he clarified. “My life is singers, I adore them. But business is tough.” We think that Pappano’s assessment is certainly on the tough side; you only need to look at one of the greats, the late Luciano Pavarotti, to know that, despite his great reputation for his singing, he also had a pretty stinking for one for his number of high-profile no shows.

Continue reading: Royal Opera House Director Slams Current Generation Of 'Weak' Singers

Movie comedian Adam Sandler booked his father's favourite singer, Leon Redbone, to sing at is wedding. Sandler's father, Stan, was dying when he assured him that he would make it to the star's wedding. In order to say 'thank you', Sandler treated his father to a live performance from his favourite musician just for him. He explained the reasoning with: "It was so that my father could have a great night. He was like, 'This is great,' and my mother whispers to him, 'You couldn't say Pavarotti?'"

Related: Adam Sandler Duets With Drew Barrymore In An Ode To Their Many Onscreen Romances

Sadly, Sandler's father died not long after the wedding took place, and was followed by a series of deaths in the family. This ended with the death of the star's bulldog, Meatball, who passed earlier in February, 2004. The '50 First Dates' star noticed that his father had to die before the family pet, saying: When Meatball died we had a big shiva. 100 people came up to our house and we traded Meatball stories. I had a cantor come up and sing prayers for the dog and I know that if my father was alive, he'd be like, 'Just bury him, you moron. It's a dog.'"

Continue reading: Adam Sandler Books His Dying Father's Favourite Singer To Play At The Stars Wedding