(Credit: Tim Osipov)

The Berlin State Opera has announced that Anna Netrebko has withdrawn from a new production of “Turandot.”

The company said, “Anna Netrebko has withdrawn her participation in the new production of ‘Turandot’ in June 2022. This is the result after the Staatsoper Unter den Linden asked the artist to distance herself from the war that the Russian government has launched against Ukraine, which violates international law. We value Anna Netrebko as an outstanding artist and we have a long-standing artistic partnership with her. At the same time, in view of this brutal war, we see no possibility for a continuation of this collaboration.”

The company concluded,” It is important for us to emphasize that Russian artists will continue to perform with us and that it is especially important now not to prejudge thoughtlessly and to strengthen the cohesion in our society. At this time, our sympathy goes unreservedly to all those who are suffering as a result of this catastrophe.”

This is the latest company the soprano withdraws from this week. She has thus far withdrawn from productions at the Metropolitan Opera, the Gran Teatre del Liceu, and Bayerische Staatsoper, among others.