SYDNEY - Dame Kiri Te Kanawa was concerned about performing with John Farnham after learning fans threw underwear at the Australian singer, a court has been told.
Leading Edge Events is seeking more than A$600,000 ($674,500) in compensation after Dame Kiri pulled out of three concerts with Farnhamtwo years ago.
She was to receive a minimum of A$200,000 for each performance, to have been held in Melbourne and Sydney.
Leading Edge is suing Dame Kiri, her former manager and two others for breach of contract, breach of contractual warranty equities and misleading conduct.
Acting for Leading Edge, Richard Evans told the NSW Supreme Court in Sydney the company had spent more than A$380,000 in preparation for the 2005 concerts, billed as Two Great Voices.
He said the expenses included a helicopter the promoters chartered for Dame Kiri in 2004 so she could travel quickly from an Auckland meeting to her 60th birthday celebrations in Northland. The soprano had told her then manager, Nick Grace, she had concerns about performing with Farnham, information Mr Evans claims was not passed on to Leading Edge Events.
"On many occasion, Dame Kiri told Mr Grace she was not committed and had some reservations about co-performing with John Farnham," he said.
Mr Evans said Dame Kiri had told Mr Grace she was concerned about the concerts after watching a DVD of Farnham in concert.
Dame Kiri thought Farnham was "very talkative" and was concerned after she saw audience members throw apparel at him.
"It would have become apparent to Mr Grace that Dame Kiri might not agree to perform with John Farnham, yet that was never ... properly communicated to the plaintiff," Mr Evans said.
The hearing before Justice Patricia Bergin continues.
Dame Kiri, who was not in court, has launched her own legal action against Mr Grace over the failed concerts.
Court conflict
* Dame Kiri Te Kanawa is being sued for $670,000.
* She pulled out of three concerts with singer John Farnham.
* She was to receive a minimum $200,000 a concert.
