Riccardo Muti is set to team up with Putin supporter Ildar Abdradov at the Tokyo Spring Festival (Tokyo Harusai).

The two will team up for concert performances of Verdi’s “Attila” on Sept. 14 and 16, 2024.

This will mark the second time Muti and Abdrazakov perform together since the bass-endorsed  Vladimir Putin for President in Russia and was removed from productions at the Opernhaus Zürich and Wiener Staatsoper. However, he still performed in Ravenna under Muti. Additionally, in a recent interview with Muti regarding the upcoming “Attila,” the conductor raved about Abdrazakov and said, “We will be lucky to have an exceptional singer, Ildar Abdrazakov.”

Abdrazakov will join a cast that includes Anna Pirozzi and Francesco Meli.

The bass is well-known for his interpretation of the role, having performed it at the Royal Opera House, Teatro alla Scala, Mariinsky Theatre, and the Metropolitan Opera, among others. The Putin supporter has made most of his appearances in Russia since he endorsed the Russian dictator and recently received the Russian State Prize. However, he is slated to return to the Teatro San Carlo for performances of “Don Carlo” and “Attila” later this season.