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Renowned Russian soprano Anna Netrebko is no longer employed by the Metropolitan Opera in New York after expressing support for Vladimir Putin amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The 50-year-old Netrebko, one of the biggest stars of the famous opera house that Manhattan leaves the post in a heavy blow to the spectacle of the city.
“It’s a huge artistic loss to Met and the opera in general,” said Peter Gelb, the plant’s director general.
“Anna is one of the greatest singers in the history of the Metropolitan, but with Putin’s actions in Ukraine, there was no way forward,” he said.
Gelb added that since Sunday he has started distancing himself from all artists who support Putin. He added that the opera had tried to persuade Netrebko to relinquish its support for the Russian president, but their efforts were fruitless.
Anyway earlier in the week Netrebko had canceled all her performances including that in Barcelona at the Gran Teatre del Liceu on April 3rd.
In a statement, she said: “I am against any illogical war and aggression, so I call on Russia to end it. “We need peace now.”
The singer further stated, “This is not a time to perform or make music, so I have decided to retire from performances at the moment. “It is a very difficult decision for me but I know that the audience will understand and respect the decision.”
Netrebko was expected to perform in Giacomo Puccini’s opera “Turandot” in the spring in New York, as well as in that of Giuseppe Verdi “Don Carlo” next season. Ironically in both editions she is expected to be replaced by Ukrainian soprano Liudmyla Monastyrska.
“Turandot” will appear in five performances from April 30 to May 14, while “Don Carlo,” will run from November 3 to 19, also in five performances.
In 2008, Netrebko received the People’s Artist of Russia award from Putin and in 2014 had donated 1 million rubles to the opera of the separatist Donetsk region in connection with Ukraine.
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