Anna Netrebko’s summer plans

Anna Netrebko’s summer plans

News

norman lebrecht

June 01, 2022

The Russian soprano – who is banned at the Met, Covent Garden Munich and Berlin – will be singing this summer at the Arena di Verona and the Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires.

She is also going on a German concert tour to Cologne, Hamburg and Frankfurt, winding up in Vienna and Malmö, Sweden.

‘The public has spoken,’ said La Scala boss Dominique Meyer after last week’s triumph in Milan.

Are we then to understand that the public approves of Russia’s wanton destruction of Ukraine, as ordered by President Putin whom Ms Netrebko will not criticise?

Or that Mr Meyer and his colleagues just don’t care.

 

 

Comments

  • A.L. says:

    Dominique Meyer is apparently beholden to a culture and tradition of deep corruption and questionable ethics. So naturally, his La Scala is where all manner of thugs run for refuge after they get caught with their pants down. The coarse opportunist Anna Netrebko is only but the latest refugee.

  • Achim Mentzel says:

    After countless extensive research, newspaper and online articles, and posts on this and other blogs: Does anyone really care about this topic anymore?

    It’s very simple: she is invited because people want to hear her and pay money for it. That’s how the organizers earn money, too. It’s called capitalism. The market regulates. However bigoted and moral-free that may be in the end.

    • Tiredofitall says:

      Those who don’t care about this and related topics are doomed to repeat history.

      • Achim Mentzel says:

        I agree, but anyways, history repeats itself always, because people never change, or like Hegel said: ”We learn from history that we learn nothing at all.”

      • Pianofortissimo says:

        “… to repeat history.” What do you mean with this worn out platitude in this specific case? That A.N. can be hired again next year?

        • Tiredofitall says:

          It may be a platitude, but hardly over-used.

          Look at the larger picture. Anna is but a speck.

  • Brian says:

    It says something when corporate brands like McDonalds or H&M will close their stores in Russia but opera houses refuse to take the smallest of steps to stand up to Putin and his cultural surrogates. Greed wins out.

    • Achim Mentzel says:

      When they will look at their 2022 annual reports in early 2023 and realize they are missing millions if not billions in sales, they will reopen very quick. You are absolutely right, greed wins out. And there‘s nothing like good symbol politics.

    • Hugo Preuß says:

      I never imagined that McDonalds would be on the moral high ground, looking down at greedy commercialism from world renowned opera houses. And yet, here we are. So much for the intrinsic moral compass of high culture…

  • william osborne says:

    Netrebko has condemned the Ukraine War. It might not as candid or blunt as we might want, but I think it’s clear enough when she says: “I expressly condemn the war on Ukraine and my thoughts are with the victims of this war and their families.” Meanwhile, the EU has sent €30 billion for energy to Russia since the beginning of the war in late February. Who are the biggest collaborators?

    Netrbko’s full comment, perhaps a bit weaselly, but in comparison to what the EU is doing, and about which few here have anything to say, I find it a good start:

    “I expressly condemn the war on Ukraine and my thoughts are with the victims of this war and their families. My position is clear. I am not a member of any political party nor am I allied with any leader of Russia. I acknowledge and regret that past actions or statements of mine could have been misinterpreted. In fact, I have met President Putin only a handful of times in my entire life, most notably on the occasion of receiving awards in recognition of my art or at the Olympics opening ceremony. I have otherwise never received any financial support from the Russian Government, and live and am a tax resident in Austria. I love my homeland of Russia and only seek peace and unity through my art. After taking my announced break, I will resume performing in late May, initially in Europe.”

  • marion says:

    money is all that seems important, disgusting!

    • Achim Mentzel says:

      Oh come on, did you ever think it was about music or art with Anna in the past 10 years?

  • Tiredofitall says:

    Without context as to the continuing invasion that has killed thousands of Ukrainians and Russians–with an additional nearly 15 million desperate refugees–not to mention the global economic implications, Meyer’s comment is beyond heinous. You don’t live in vacuum, Monsieur le directeur.

    Cowardice and avarice always seems to raise its head in conflict.

  • kaa says:

    Where was everybody during the invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan? I don’t remember seeing any comments about preventing US singers and musicians performing in your lily white concert halls

    • MuddyBoots says:

      Do you mean the Russian invasion of Afghanistan? I don’t recall that any artists were on the record as supporting that Russian invasion.

      • Lucia says:

        No, the American invasion of Afghanistan. The one that lasted 20 years and ended with an embarrassing flight. And killed hundreds of thousands of civilians. Was anybody canceled? I don’t remember. Did anyone have to make statements? I don’t remember.

    • Achim Mentzel says:

      There is a difference my friend. The USA are always the good guys.

  • Bloom says:

    Anna Netrebko has condemned the war and has cancelled all her engagements in Russia. She has chosen a free Western world to live and work in. If she starts singing again in Russia during Vladimir Putin’s mandate, all her detractors’ accusations are going to prove right. I hope she won’t.

  • Brian says:

    If Anna Netrebko disappeared, what would this blog have to write about?

    • Pianofortissimo says:

      Yuja, Muti, Barenboim, Gelb, the shameful state of the arts in Britain (also in America, France, and [write your country’s name here]), and you name it… And don’t forget Putin.

  • Ya what says:

    Look so she clearly has condemned and denounced the war and the Russian leader. Great! Let her go back to her career…she’s done what she needs to do to resume it. It’s not like she can do anything to help Ukraine if you ban her anyway.

    • Jean says:

      She lied all over her statement. That she never supported Putler, is neutral, and “I have otherwise never received any financial support from the Russian Government” (hah!).

      Everything starts with honesty.

      • Ya what says:

        Really? Any evidence of lying? Did she ever say anywhere she did support Putin, and is not neutral?

  • M McGrath says:

    “‘The public has spoken,’ said La Scala boss Dominique Meyer after last week’s triumph in Milan.”
    Isn’t that the exact reasoning numerous well-known dictators and other idiots have used to explain to observers as to why they are engaging in heinous acts? “THE MOB TELLS ME TO…round up the usual suspects.” “THE PEOPLE DEMAND … my government take these actions.” There follows closely on these, somewhat time-removed, “BUT I was only following ORDERS so don’t blame me.”
    Round and around we go, and if we learn it sure doesn’t show.

  • Veronese says:

    Netrebko in Verona, why????? Anyone with ears knows she sings horribly! Also, does this mean Verona approves of the war, why is she still in the calendar??? What an insult to Italians and Europeans!!! Some riots to be expected! Hopefully audience is not deaf to her bad singing and the sound of the war. Boooo her people!!!

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