Ildar Abdrazakov has released a statement regarding all his cancellations in Europe and the United States following his ousting from the Teatro San Carlo.

The bass took to social media and said, “It’s been quite some time I have not given my feedback regarding all the cancellations of my engagements in Europe and the U.S. Now is the time. And my main message will go to the PUBLIC.”

He added, “I’m sure all of my colleagues will agree with me that as artists we sing and play for you. I have never divided my audience by race, nationality, religion or political views. Theatre is a temple of its own. New times have come. It’s the time when politicians enter the temple of art and music and set the best cast. Regardless of any circumstances, I still hope to meet my audience worldwide and share my art with you soon. Always yours, Ildar Abdrazakov.”

It is the first time Adbrazakov speaks of his cancellations since 2023, when he was canceled from his engagements at the Bayerische Staatsoper. At that time, he said, “He needed to take a break.”

Over the past year, Abdrazakov endorsed Putin’s reelection and was subsequently named as a Member of Russia’s Presidential Council. The bass later received the Russian State Prize and performed at the BRIC summit. He has since been canceled from his engagements at the Wiener Staatsoper, Zurich Opera, Teatro San Carlo, and Paris Opera, among others.

Politics has always been part of the arts world and since the war in Ukraine began, Russian theaters, such as the Bolshoi Theatre, have canceled artists’s productions and performances for speaking out against Putin’s regime. Among these artists include Timofey Kulyabin, Alexander Molochnikov, and Kirill Serebrennikov. The Bolshoi Theatre also banned the ballet “Nureyev,” complying with Putin’s expanded anti-LGBT law. Additionally, Olga Smirnova left the Bolshoi Theatre and said she would not return to Russia until there was “Freedom.”

 

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