The Novosibirsk State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater announced on Friday that it was cancelling a performance of opera singer Anna Netrebko scheduled for June 2.
The announcement cited the statement Netrebko made this week condemning Russia’s war in Ukraine. Noting her European residence, the theater concluded that the “opportunity to perform on European stages is more important to her than the fate of her Homeland.”
“We are certain that right is on our side,” the announcement continued. “We must not be frightened that there are cultural figures who reject their Homeland. Our country is rich in talent, and new artists with unequivocal civic positions will take the place of yesterday’s stars.”
Netrebko said in her statement that she was not a member of any Russian political party and had met with President Vladimir Putin “only a handful of times in my entire life, most notably on the occasion of receiving awards in recognition of my art.” But photographs of her trip to the “People’s Republics” of Donetsk and Luhansk and ambiguous statements led to her dismissal from the New York Metropolitan Opera.
She said that she would be performing in Europe in May. No details of her concert schedule have been made public.
