The French media outlet Forum Opera has released an image of the final curtain call from the Opera de Monte-Carlo’s new production of “Manon Lescaut.”

The photo showcases the performers of the production, including Anna Netrebko under the Ukrainian flag. In their review of the production the media outlet focused on this moment stating, “The strongest image of the evening was that of the very end when, at the curtain call, Anna Netrebko bowed with all the protagonists, under the image of a Ukrainian flag projected above the stage. It’s going to be ugly in the Kremlin! A few minutes earlier, she had been dazzling in her aria ‘Sola, perduta, abandonnata.'”

The image comes just weeks after Netrebko released a third statement condemning the War in Ukraine and attempting to distance herself from Putin. That statement led her to be declared an enemy of the state in Russia by some political leaders and also getting some contracts canceled in her homeland.

The performance also marked the return of the soprano after withdrawing from numerous contracts.

The press leading up to the opening of the production of “Manon Lescaut” had been controversial and the Opera de Monte Carlo stated, “Anna Netrebko made a statement two weeks ago regarding the war and her relationship with Putin. She has taken a clear position against the war in Ukraine. As a consequence, she has been declared an ‘enemy of the homeland’ by the speaker of the Duma and a theater in Novosibirsk canceled her appearance.”

Netrebko has been under fire for her ties to Putin and for a 2014 picture, in which she posed with the separatist leader of Donbas when she made a contribution to the opera house.

Forum Opera