(sda) “After reading Anna’s message, we are not prepared to change our position,” said the director of the Metropolitan Opera, Peter Gelb, the German Press Agency in New York. “If Anna shows that she has distanced herself seriously, completely and in the long term from Putin, then I would be up for a conversation.”
The renowned Metropolitan Opera in Manhattan announced a few weeks ago that it would put its collaboration with Netrebko – and with all artists or institutions that support Putin – on hold in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The opera house asked Netrebko to withdraw her public support for the Russian president.
The 50-year-old Russian had not done this, it was said. Netrebko then withdrew from planned upcoming appearances – including her role in “Turandot” in April and May and “Don Carlos” in the coming season. Yellow had spoken of a “great artistic loss”.
Netrebko distanced himself from Putin more clearly than before on Wednesday. “My position is clear. I am not a member of any political party, nor am I affiliated with any Russian leader,” she said through her German lawyer.
“I recognize and regret that some of my actions or statements in the past could be misinterpreted. In fact, I have only met President Putin a handful of times in my entire life, primarily at art awards ceremonies or at the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games.” You have otherwise never received financial support from the Russian government.
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