Opera Story

I'm reading a book about American opera singers by Peter Davis.

David Poleri (1921-67) had a ringing tenor but was guilty of unpredictable behavior.

"Once, while singing Carmen with the NYCity Opera on tour in Chicago, the temperamental Poleri reached the final scene, dropped his knife, shouted 'Finish it yourself!' and marched off the stage, leaving a perplexed Carmen, Gloria Lane, to stab herself to death."