Teatro San Carlo has announced that Putin supporter Idar Abdrazakov will no longer sing in the upcoming productions of “Don Carlo” and “Attila.”

The news comes days after the Huffington Post published a piece that openly questioned Abdrazakov’s hiring and included a quote from Ukrainian bass Alexander Tsymbaluk, who was unaware he would be singing next to the Russian bass. He said, “I am still in a state of shock over the theater’s decision to invite Ildar Abdrazakov for the production of ‘Don Carlo,’ especially considering his recent ties to Putin. Unfortunately, I found out about his participation in this production only after signing the contract.” Days later, the Italian association “Liberi, Oltre le Illusioni” published an open letter titled “The Stage of Shame” and criticized Teatro San Carlo’s decision.

Abdrazakov has been an open supporter of Putin since the beginning of the war having endorsed him earlier this year. He was later named a Member of Russia’s Presidential Council, received the Russian State Prize, and performed at the BRIC summit. While the bass has performed in Japan and Ravenna recently, Abdrazakov’s performances at the Zurich Opera, Paris Opera, and Wiener Staatsoper have been canceled.

John Relyea will replace Abdrazakov in “Don Carlo” while the company has yet to announce a replacement for “Attila.”