Now it’s a Russian opera house that Anna Netrebko unloads. The 50-year-old concert planned for June 2 could not take place, the opera in Siberian Novosibirsk announced on Thursday and indirectly accused the singer, who lives in Austria, of having betrayed her home country. Netrebko was initially criticized in the West for her alleged closeness to Russia’s head of state Vladimir Putin. On Wednesday she had declared: “I strongly condemn the war against Ukraine and my thoughts are with the victims of this war and their families.”
In Russia, where Putin has banned the term “war”, the opera now says: “Living in Europe and having the opportunity to perform in European concert halls has proven to be more important than the fate of the fatherland. We must not be afraid from cultural workers turning their backs on their country. Our country is rich in talent and yesterday’s idols are being replaced by others with a clear civic stance.”
Even after Anna Netrebko’s clear positioning, organizers in the west are hesitant about future engagements. She herself had announced that she would return to the stage in May. But both the Berlin State Opera and the New York Metropolitan Opera said they wanted to talk to her first before deciding on further engagements. “Having read Anna’s communication, we are not prepared to change our position,” said Met Director Peter Gelb. “If Anna shows that she has distanced herself seriously, completely and in the long term from Putin, then I would be open to a conversation.” Those responsible for German houses have not wanted to comment on possible appearances by Netrebko in the last few days.