“No allies” – Anna Netrebko distances herself from Putin

Netrebko’s meetings with Putin are said to have always taken place at public rather than political events, such as the opening of an opera house. According to her own statement, she has never met the Russian president for a one-on-one meeting and has never campaigned for him. In addition, on March 1, 2022, the singer publicly asked the Russian government to immediately end the “senseless war of aggression”. They also used terms like “war” and “invasion.”

Name persuasion difficult
However, it is difficult to condemn Putin by name, which Met director Yellow requested, because it is risky for both her and her family and close friends who live in Russia. The reason for the lawsuit is the canceled concerts at the New York Metropolitan Opera in 2022. Netrebko worked at the Met for twenty years and performed there almost 200 times. The opera star accuses the Metropolitan Opera management of using the termination of the contract with her for an anti-Russian advertising campaign and to position herself as a supporter of Ukraine.

To her knowledge, no other artist has been asked to make similar public statements. It is discrimination based on race and gender. According to Netrebko, the procedure also motivated other opera houses to stop hiring them, leading to counter-demonstrations. At the same time, she was publicly criticized in her home country. She was forced to sell her New York apartment.

Compensation of 332,000 euros was demanded
Netrebko alleged eight violations of the anti-discrimination provisions of the Human Rights Act, including defamation, in her lawsuit. She is seeking damages of at least $360,000 (equivalent to €332.00). On Wednesday, the Russian opera star can be heard during a “Traviata” in the Vienna Konzerthaus.