The Royal Ballet and Opera have been urged to drop one of the most famous opera singers in the world over her alleged links to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The likes of Anna Netrebko, a 53-year-old world-famous soprano, began what would go on to become her decade-spanning career back in 1994.
Just a handful of Netrebko's accolades include being the featured soloist at the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics, as well as the first classical music artist named to Time magazine’s annual list of the world’s 100 most influential people.
However, over 50 Ukrainian writers and artists, a cross-party group of UK MPs, and a former New Zealand prime minister have now urged the RBO to sack Netrebko from its new London season, with a signed letter claiming that she is a 'longtime symbol of cultural propaganda for a regime responsible for war crimes'.
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What happened?
In a letter to the Guardian, the signatories hit out at the Russian opera singer - who is set to perform in the RBO’s production of Tosca next month - and suggested that the RBO has put itself on the wrong side of history by inviting her to perform at a time when Russia has escalated its attacks 'on peaceful Ukrainian cities and civilians'.
"The Royal Opera now faces a defining choice: between status and responsibility, between profit and values, between silence and conscience. We urge you to remain, as you consistently have, on the ethical side of art – and of history," the letter adds.
What's been said?
Labour MP Alex Sobel, chair of the parliamentary all-party group on Ukraine, said he was 'deeply troubled' by the RBO’s invitation to Netrebko.
"It’s simple. Don’t invite Russian supporters of the regime to perform. Ukraine is fighting for all our freedoms. This is adding insult to injury," he said.
Conservative MP, John Whittingdale, added: "Anna Netrebko may be a fine soprano but she has previously shown support for Russian separatists in Ukraine and has said nothing to condemn Russian brutality since a single statement over three years ago.
"I am sorry that the Royal Opera House has reversed its position by inviting her to perform, and hope at the very least that she will make clear her condemnation of Putin and his regime before taking the stage in London."
Whittingdale's statement references an incident which took place in 2014 when Netrebko publicly waved the flag of 'Novorossiya', the Kremlin’s separatist project in Ukraine’s Donetsk region, parts of which remain under Russian military occupation.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s first deputy foreign minister Sergiy Kyslytsya, who organised the letter, said the ROB should replace Netrebko with a singer 'not associated with a criminal regime'.
What has Anna Netrebko said?
Back in March 2022, Netrebko, who is a longtime Austrian citizen and resident, issued a public statement condemning the war in Ukraine.
"My thoughts are with the victims of this war and their families," she posted on Facebook, adding she was not a member of a political party nor 'allied with any leader of Russia'.
She also stated: "I acknowledge and regret that past actions or statements of mine could have been misinterpreted."
Netrebko, who said she had met Putin 'only a handful of times' at awards ceremonies and the Olympics, concluded: "I love my homeland of Russia and only seek peace and unity through my art."
Her general manager, Miguel Esteban, also maintains that Netrebko had 'never shown support for Russian separatists' and had condemned the war in three social media statements and two interviews.
He added that she had not returned to Russia since the full-scale invasion.
The Royal Opera House has declined to comment.
Tyla has also reached out to Anna Netrebko's representatives for further comment.
Topics: Celebrity, Music, World News, Politics, Russia
Rhiannon Ingle