Opéra de Monte-Carlo Releases Statement on Anna Netrebko’s Performances

By Francisco Salazar
(Credit: Tim Osipov)

The Opéra de Monte-Carlo has released a statement regarding Anna Netrebko’s stage debut on April 22, 2022.

The company’s spokesperson Christiane Ribeiro told the New York Times, “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.”

The spokesperson added, “We very much regret that Maria Agresta has had to cancel for health reasons but we are happy that Anna Netrebko has accepted to sing these four performances of ‘Manon Lescaut.'”

For her part, Netrebko said, “I am overjoyed to be unexpectedly making my stage debut at the Monte Carlo Opera. It is going to be made even more special by performing with my husband, tenor Yusif Eyvazov, in the same Puccini masterpiece that marked our first encounter at the Rome Opera in 2014. I wish my friend and colleague Maria Agresta a full and speedy recovery.”

Netrebko has been under scrutiny for her previous ties to Putin and has released three statements denouncing the war. She was expected to perform “Turandot” at the Metropolitan Opera later this month but the company cut ties with her.

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