Ildar Abdrazakov has been named a member of the Presidential Council for Culture and Art in Russia.

The bass was appointed to the council by the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, who updated the council recently.

Other appointees include director Nikita Mikhalkov and actor Konstantin Khabensky while film director Karen Shakhnazarov retained the position of deputy chairman of the council, while Assistant to the President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Medinsky remained secretary of the council.

Abdrazakov was appointed alongside Konstantin Khabensky, director Nikita Mikhalkov, Director General of Channel One Konstantin Ernst, and writer Zakhar Prilepin.

Earlier this year, Abdrazakov endorsed Putin for President and was let go from his concerts at the Paris Opera, Zurich Opera, and the Teatro alla Scala. He was recently given the Russian State Prize and performed in Japan alongside Riccardo Muti. The bass is set to perform at eh Teatro San Carlo in performances of “Don Carlo” and “Attila.”