Who Is Anna Netrebko? Russian Opera Star Condemns War Against Ukraine

Artists around the world are condemning Russia's invasion of its neighbouring country Ukraine. Amongst them is the superstar Russian soprano Anna Netrebko, who on March 30 condemned the ongoing war in Ukraine, which has been initiated by Russian President Vladimir Putin. While condemning the attack, Netrebko also said that she will return to the stage soon. This development took place after she cancelled her shows because of the scrutiny she endured for her closeness to Putin.

Many artists and people back in Russia have been open about their distaste for the war that is being carried out. But this open criticism has come with backlash from the government as well and increasing pressure from the global community to pledge long-term distancing from Putin. However, a crackdown by the Russian government has discouraged many from open,y criticising Putin.

Netrebko's statement follows the same line of criticising the war but steering clear on calling out Putin. "I expressly condemn the war against Ukraine and my thoughts are with the victims of this war and their families," she said in her statement. The 50-year-old artist went on to state that she was not a part of any political party or linked with any leader in the country. She also made it clear that she regretted her past actions.

Suggested Reading: Five Fearless Women Journalists Covering The Ukraine-Russia War

Netrebko has been posting pro-Kremlin views for a long time and in 2014 she even posed with the rebel flag in the Donetsk region. She has met Putin a couple of times, but according to her, the meetings were mainly to accept awards for her "art or at the opening of the Olympic Games." She also stated that she had not received any sort of financial aid from the Government of Russia and now lives in Austria.

On March 3, The Metropolitan Museum of Art (Met) in New York said that she withdrew her upcoming performances for "not complying with the Met's condition that she repudiate her public support for Vladimir Putin while he wages war on Ukraine."

Peter Gelb, the General Manager of Met said that they have not changed their decision even after reading her statement. They also said that if in future she completely disassociates herself from Putin, then they will be ready to have a conversation with her.

Who Is Anna Netrebko?

Born on September 18, 1971, in Krasnodar in Russia, Netrebko is known for her dark lustrous voice and compelling dramatic characterisations. Her father was a geologist and her mother was a communications engineer.

As a child, she studied piano and sang for a travelling musical troupe in high school. At the age of 16, Netrebko moved to Leningrad with the hope of becoming an actor but seeing the tough competition, she decided to pursue a career in opera instead.

She studied for two years at a musical college and then went to St Petersburg State Conservatory in 1990. In 1994, Netrebko auditioned for Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro).

In 2005, she was awarded the State Prize of the Russian Federation for her contribution to opera and in 2008, she was named People's Artist of Russia.

Anna Netrebko has upcoming shows from May 25 at Grande Salle Pierre Boulez in Paris, then May 27 at Teatro Alla Scala in Milan, and June 5 at KKL Luzern.

Feature Image Credit: Classic FM