Soviero Bows Out of S.D. Opera : Opera: The renowned soprano has broken her contract. San Diego Opera officials are seeking damages.

Internationally renowned opera soprano Diana Soviero, who was to have starred in the San Diego Opera’s production of “La Traviata” next May, will not appear here, opera officials said Friday. She will perform with the Paris Opera at that time.

San Diego Opera Company officials said they will seek damages but did not disclose the amount.

Ian Campbell, San Diego Opera general director, said company attorneys have contacted Agma, the union representing Soviero.

Soviero starred in “Faust” in 1988 in San Diego and also performed for the San Diego Opera in 1979 and 1980.

Campbell said he learned of Soviero’s withdrawal by reading a Paris Opera brochure. He said that the singer had asked last May to be released from her contract so that she could sing in Paris. Campbell said he denied Soviero’s request because he felt that he owed his audience the promised performance. Publicity brochures for the 1991 season prominently advertise Soviero’s planned appearance.

“It is not without precedent that an artist seeks to break a contract for a step upward,” Campbell said. However, he added, “I don’t get leading singers normally doing this.”

“We planned the opera around her,” Campbell said. American soprano Christine Weidinger will replace Soviero.

Soviero’s contract with the San Diego Opera for her May appearance was made final in February, 1989, and plans for her role as Violetta began in early 1988, Campbell said.

Soviero appeared as Violetta last January in a production by Opera Pacific at the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa.

The performance followed her requested release from a 1987 contract with the Opera Pacific. In that case, however, the circumstances were more amicable, according to David Dichiera, Opera Pacific general director.

“We did agree to her being released from the contract because she had an opportunity to make her La Scala debut,” Dichiera said, referring to a performance with the Teatro alla Scala in Milan, Italy.

About 7,500 tickets to the San Diego performance of “La Traviata” have been sold to 1991 season subscribers. Individual tickets for the opera had not yet gone on sale, Campbell said.

Campbell said he is disappointed that a performer with whom the company has had a long relationship should take a contract so lightly. He said the San Diego Opera had encouraged the American soprano at the early stages of her career and has seen her fees rise as much as 600%.

“Those were wonderful opportunities for the singer at that time,” Campbell said, adding that her decision to perform in Paris instead of San Diego was a financial matter. At the new opera house at the Bastille, “she will play more performances for more money,” Campbell said.