Russian famous soprano Anna Netrebko was shunned by many world-leading opera companies after Russia invaded Ukraine three years ago due to support of the Russian past.
Since then, many of Europe's most famous companies have welcomed her back. And next season, she will return to two more major opera houses for the first time since the war began: the Zurich Opera and the Royal Opera in London.
These engagements have brought Netrebko back to many of the world's major stages. With one notable exception, New York's Metropolitan Opera reigned as Primadna for 20 years.
Met general manager Peter Gelb cut off the company's ties with Netrebko three years ago, citing “close relationship with Putin.” He says he believes that Netrebko, a Russian and Austrian citizen living in Vienna, “has made dishonest efforts to distance himself from Russia's war efforts.” He declined to comment Thursday.
Netrebko sued Met, accusing the company of discrimination, atf losses and breach of contract. A federal judge narrowed down the lawsuit last year for allegations of gender discrimination. Her case is still pending.
Netrebko returned to Milan's streets of Allascala, particularly Berlin State Opera, Vienna Opera and Paris Opera. And recently, both London and Zurich have announced that she will also welcome her back.
Zurich Opera said Thursday that Netrebko will perform at Verdi's “La Forza Del Destino” in November. News media reports say when announcing the 2025-26 season, the company's next artistic leader, Matthias Schultz, said Netrebko “deserves this opportunity.”
She withdrew from engagement in Zurich in 2022. Andreas Homoki, the company's resigning director, said at the time that “citizens of oppressive regimes” should not be judged by the same standards as those living in Western European democracies. However, he added that Putin's “conclusive condemnation” of Opera House and his actions “incompatible with Anna Netrebko's public position.”
London's Royal Opera said earlier this month that Netrebko will return to the stage for the first time in six years and open the season with Puccini's new “Tosca” production. She will also appear in Puccini's “Turandot” revival in December and perform a recital next year.
“Russian nationality is not comparable to the alignment of the current Kremlin regime,” Royal Opera said in a statement.
“Anna issued a clear statement denounced Putin's war in Ukraine and has not returned to Russia since 2022,” the statement said.
A representative for Netrebko declined to comment.
After the invasion, Netrebko said in a statement he would condemn the war in Ukraine, but he refrained from explicitly criticizing Putin, and she has not spoken in depth about the record of previous support for him.
She has appeared in Europe in Top Concert Halls and Opera Houses, so she has often been greeted with protests, but has also earned ovations and strong reviews.
Netrebko is attempting an American comeback. She sang at the Palm Beach Opera Gala in Florida in February. However, she has not yet announced any well-known US engagements.
