Soprano Anna Netrebko out at Metropolitan Opera after refusing to 'repudiate her support' for Putin

NEW YORK — Famed Russian soprano Anna Netrebko has withdrawn from her upcoming performances at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City after refusing to distance herself from Russian President Vladimir Putin, Met officials said Thursday.

“It is a great artistic loss for the Met and for opera,” Peter Gelb, the company’s general manager said in a statement. “Anna is one of the greatest singers in Met history, but with Putin killing innocent victims in Ukraine, there was no way forward.”

Netrebko, 50, was scheduled to perform in the Franco Zeffirelli production of Puccini’s “Turandot” in April and May, as well as Verdi’s “Don Carlo” in the fall.

Ukrainian soprano Liudmyla Monastyrska, who has sung Turandot previously at the Ukrainian National Opera and at the Bolshoi, has been announced as Netrebko’s replacement.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/soprano-superstar-anna-netrebko-out-at-metropolitan-opera-after-refusing-to-repudiate-her-public-support-for-putin/ar-AAUzSma