Berlin State Opera stands by Anna Netrebko
NewsThe Staatsoper Unter den Linden has issued the following documentaion in connection with the forthcoming appearances of the Russian soprano.
Unter den Linden State Opera strongly condemns Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, which violates international law. This war is not just bout one country, but the entire culture of peaceful coexistence worldwide. Since the beginning of the war on February 24, 2022, Unter den Linden State Opera has taken an unambiguous position and expressed full solidarity for Ukraine, including a Concert for Peace at Unter den Linden State Opera in support of humanitarian aid for Ukrainians March 6, 2022, through the German premiere of the documentary film “Oh, Sister!”, in the presence of the Ukrainian human rights activist Oleksandra Matwijtschuk and the Ukrainian ambassador, in December 2022, by making our solidarity visible with the colours of Ukraine and other signs.
The management of Staatsoper Unter den Linden has had very differentiated discussions with Anna Netrebko since the beginning of the war. At the beginning of March 2022, it was mutually decided with Anna Netrebko that she would not take part in the new TURANDOT production in June 2022 and all future engagements were also put to the test. Without a clear positioning of the artist, further cooperation for the Staatsoper Unter den Linden was and would not be sustainable.
On March 30, 2022, Anna Netrebko publicly articulated her position very clearly, as far as she was able, and distanced herself from the leadership of Russia, which we hereby recall and quote:
„Ich verurteile den Krieg gegen die Ukraine ausdrücklich und meine Gedanken sind bei den Opfern dieses Krieges und ihren Familien. Meine Position ist klar. Ich bin weder Mitglied einer politischen Partei noch bin ich mit irgendeinem Führer Russlands verbunden. Ich erkenne und bedauere, dass meine Handlungen oder Aussagen in der Vergangenheit zum Teil falsch interpretiert werden konnten. Tatsächlich habe ich Präsident Putin in meinem ganzen Leben nur eine Handvoll Mal getroffen, vor allem im Rahmen von Verleihungen von Auszeichnungen für meine Kunst oder bei der Eröffnungsfeier der Olympischen Spiele. Ich habe ansonsten nie finanzielle Unterstützung von der russischen Regierung erhalten und lebe in Österreich, wo ich auch steuerlich ansässig bin. Ich liebe mein Heimatland Russland und strebe durch meine Kunst ausschließlich Frieden und Einigkeit an. Nach der angekündigten Auftrittspause werde ich meine Opern- und Konzertauftritte Ende Mai, zunächst in Europa, wieder aufnehmen.“
She also took a very comprehensive stand in an interview in ZEIT on June 1, 2022: https://www.zeit.de/2022/23/anna-netrebko-russland-oper-ukraine .
Since we greatly appreciate the artistic personality of Anna Netrebko, who is undoubtedly one of the greatest voices of our time, and we have a long-standing partnership with her, we announced that we would seek a conversation with her. This took place between the director, the artist and her management and the director was able to get a personal impression of the authenticity of her information.
It is important to proceed in a differentiated manner here and to distinguish between before and after the outbreak of war. Since then, Anna Netrebko has not accepted any engagements in Russia and her management has confirmed to us that there are still no plans for any appearances in Russia. She has taken a clear position and distanced herself both through her statement and through her actions since the outbreak of war. This needs to be recognized.
In addition, Anna Netrebko knows our clearly pro-Ukrainian position as a stage. Under these circumstances, in our opinion, this artist should be given a chance and not withheld from the audience. As a house, full solidarity with Ukraine is extremely important to us on the one hand, and treating our artists responsibly on the other.
As an opera house, we strive with all our strength to enter into dialogue, to connect people in the experience of music, and not to incite them against each other. At this time, our solidarity and compassion go out unreservedly to all those affected by this catastrophe.
Management statement from Anna Netrebko
“Anna Netrebko looks forward to returning to the Staatsoper Berlin in a revival of a production of Macbeth that she premiered in 2018. She is grateful for the open dialogue that Intendant Matthias Schulz has had with her since early last year. In March 2022, for the first time, Anna Netrebko described her arm’s-length contacts with the Russian government and confirmed that she had never campaigned for it. The evidence used against Anna Netrebko – the flag unexpectedly unfurled during an ad hoc photo op, the 50th birthday party at the State Kremlin Palace promoted by an outside producer, etc. – is circumstantial and yet often left unchallenged, while Anna Netrebko has gone on the record to explain these disparate incidents with verifiable proof. Since February 2022, Anna Netrebko’s statements, her two major press interviews, her actions and her management’s ongoing correction of disinformation in the media collectively represent a body of substantial evidence against the baseless allegations directed at her. They establish that Anna Netrebko does not have a relationship with the Russian government nor any connection with the tragic war in Ukraine. Certain people have made unsuccessful attempts to assign different roles to Anna Netrebko, but there is in fact only one that truly fits: that of a singer. “Which is what she looks forward to doing for the audiences in Berlin next month.” They establish that Anna Netrebko does not have a relationship with the Russian government nor any connection with the tragic war in Ukraine. Certain people have made unsuccessful attempts to assign different roles to Anna Netrebko, but there is in fact only one that truly fits: that of a singer. “Which is what she looks forward to doing for the audiences in Berlin next month.” They establish that Anna Netrebko does not have a relationship with the Russian government nor any connection with the tragic war in Ukraine. Certain people have made unsuccessful attempts to assign different roles to Anna Netrebko, but there is in fact only one that truly fits: that of a singer. “Which is what she looks forward to doing for the audiences in Berlin next month.”
Finally a position adhering to the principle of reason, individual rights and freedom, not dogma and collectivism.
There you go, this is neutrality. And yet some people will not accept this and instead will fall prey to their neuroticisms. Sad!
Just to make sure where she stands, I would have appreciated an English translation of her statement.
First of all, it’s not her statement: she doesn’t speak German, and a lot of Austrians are questioning why she was given citizenship when toddlers speak the language with greater proficiency.
That being said, the statement, riddled with lies, can be translated as:
“I strongly condemn the war against 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 affiliated with any leader of Russia. I recognize and regret that some of my actions or statements in the past could be misinterpreted. In fact, I’ve only met President Putin a handful of times in my life, most notably at awards shows for my art or at the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games. I have never otherwise received any financial support from the Russian government and live in Austria, where I am also a tax resident. I love my home country Russia and only strive for peace and unity through my art. After the announced break, I will resume my opera and concert performances at the end of May, initially in Europe”.
It took more than a year for her management to release this statement in March 2022.
For one small example, there are others behind this war besides Putin. There is a well-circulated photo – and certainly staged and not spontaneous – of Netrebko holding a large flag of the proposed Novorossiya with separatist politician Oleg Tsarov; she had just contributed one million roubles to his cause.
It’s clear enough….she starts with “I explicitly condemn the war against Ukraine” and goes on to say that she has met Putin only a few times, and then in the context of international celebrations such as the Olympic games…..lives in and is taxed in Austria
The Mafia at work again doing its thing. Curiously, not one word on her blown voice, on her saggy, Rysanek-ugly, wobbly, off-pitch singing.
Sorry A.L or A.I?
Rysanek was an amazing artist, unique and we wished we had one like her – Netrebkos are many around but she was lucky to be discovered….
Instead, they are calling her the greatest voice of our time. Our time is sad, indeed. Or… They are just greedy and tone deaf.
Ah, there we go. If you disagree, then you impugn the reputation of the decision-maker, insult and froth at the mouth!!
PS: We should take up a collection for you of great Rysanek recordings. To help you see why many of us admire her and relish our experiences with her (e.g.: Elektra, Paris, 1975, Böhm, Nilsson, Rysanek, Ludwig).
Yipes.
They all doth protest twice too much. And “she is” must be a sloppy mistranslation of “sie war”….
Whatever. I can still hear my parents telling me “Let your conscience be your guide.” Those words have served me well. I always sleep soundly.
“This war is not just about one country, but the entire culture of peaceful coexistence worldwide.”
Let me just add:
The US, the leader of the free world, would happily recognize the sovereign independence of it’s neighbors, Canada and Mexico, to join a military alliance with China.
Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, NATO has, in all sincerity, sought peace with Russia.
Ukraine decided Ukraine must not negotiate with Russia.
Putin was mad to attack, but when he is defeated, he will become rational, instead of using his nukes.
Good night, sleep tight! Remember to believe everything you hear in the news in Russia/the West.
Sounds like the BSO is singing that old Loretta Lynn classic “Stand By Your Man”!!!
May be more apt than you think…after her husband’s death, Loretta Lynn recounted how her husband cheated on her regularly and once left her while she was giving birth.
Relationships often are not what the parties proclaim…while alive that is…Anna’s situation TBD.
“Stand By Your Man” is a Tammy Wynette classic, not Loretta Lynn..
Obviously, despite her management written statement of contrition, many still do not believe her statement based upon statements in the past. Her life in Austria is one of convenience and expediency IMHO.
Electing to reside in Austria – the European country with the second most “pro-Putin” and crypto-fascist elite after Hungary – is a dead giveaway.
“Full solidarity with Ukraine” mandates terminating any employment of these 2 Putinesque criminals.
Good for the BSO, even if the hypocritical virtue signallers are all reaching for the smelling salts.
Does she get bums in seats? Then all is forgiven/
Now that her bank accounts are taking a hit Netebko is suddenly realizing that she never met or should have never been associated to Putin .
On the other hand I would’t characterize Ukrainians as innocent little angels, with all the weapons supplied by NATO they are likely committing horrendous war crimes too.