Berlin State Opera wants to wait for talks with Netrebko
Created: 03/31/2022, 19:42
Opera star Anna Netrebko at a press conference on the summer night concert at Schönbrunn Palace.
© Georg Hochmuth/APA/dpa/archive image
After the cancellation of performances by the Russian soprano Anna Netrebko, the Berlin State Opera Unter den Linden would first like to wait for direct talks with the singer.
"At the moment she has decided not to do "Turandot" with us in this phase, we agreed on that with her," said director Matthias Schulz on Thursday, according to the State Opera.
Berlin – The 50-year-old was supposed to sing in Giacomo Puccini's opera in June.
"I can't comment on future projects yet, basically we said that Russian artists will of course continue to perform with us," said Schulz.
"It would be important for me to speak directly to Anna Netrebko first, I would like to wait and see."
Netrebko had canceled her performance in March.
According to its own statements, the State Opera had previously asked Netrebko to distance himself from the actions of the Russian government in Ukraine, which violate international law.
The New York Metropolitan Opera also does not want to resume working with Netrebko for the time being.
"After reading Anna's message, we are not prepared to change our position," Metropolitan Opera director Peter Gelb told the German Press Agency in New York.
"If Anna shows that she has sincerely, completely and permanently distanced herself from Putin, then I would be up for a conversation."
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Netrebko spoke out again on Wednesday.
"My position is clear.
I am not a member of any political party nor am I affiliated with any leader in Russia,” 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've only met President Putin a handful of times in my life, most notably at awards ceremonies for my art or at the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games.
dpa
