When Netrebko sings in Berlin, the house will be lit in Ukraine colours
OperaMatthias Schulz, director of the Berlin State Opera, has tried to defuse criticsm of Anna Netrebko’s presence by making her sing in enemy colours.
Here’s part of what he says: ‘Her management confirms she has no plans to appear in Russia Claims that she supported Putin were refuted and subsequently had to be corrected in media reports. Under these circumstances, in our opinion, this artist should be given a chance and not withheld from the audience. As a company, full solidarity with Ukraine is extremely important to us on the one hand, and treating our artists responsibly on the other. Anna Netrebko knows our clearly pro-Ukrainian position. As with other performances, the auditorium for Verdi’s Macbeth will be illuminated in the colors of Ukraine upon entry. 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.’
Who says Ukraine is her enemy? She doesn’t.
Full solidarity is required with a state which has banned opposition parties and consolidated independent media into a single state broadcaster. Associating with and supporting war-mongers is fine as long as they are with the right side. The mental gymnastics required to have this worldview are mind-boggling.
Only pro Russian parties are banned. A cursory look at any number of Internet sources would have shown you the current parliament is made up of multiple parties.
Did you think the Nazi party was legal in the UK and USA during WW2? I’ve got a surprise for you…
She can pretend the colors are for Sweden.
If they ever hire her husband, they should force him to perform next to a plethora of Armenian national symbols.
I say give Netrebko a chance.
Doesn’t scan as well.
Nobody does virtue signaling quite like the Germans.
Look up “Virtue Signaling” in the dictionary and you will find the example of the Berlin State Opera lighting its auditorium in the colors of the Ukrainian flag.
The Monte Carlo Opera also placed the Ukrainian colors above the stage when Anna Netrebko appeared in May 2022 after Russia’s invasion. Netrebko also criticized and condemned the war in February and March 2022.
How very clever. We used to call it white-washing.
How pathetic. Music is music. Politics are politics. Hopefully, never the twain shall meet.
And, to honor Ukraine in full, I expect that Swastika will be displayed as well.
Ukraine hated Russia so much it allied with Nazi Germany, including gathering and executing Jews. At one time Ukraine was home to one of the largest Jewish communities in Europe. Sorry, I know we are not supposed to talk about that.
Potpourri that was nearly 80 years ago. Never forget but always be ready to forgive
Forgive the Holocaust??? NEVER FORGET reminds us that it could happen again. And it has happened on a smaller scale between ancient rivals. Today we are shocked because it involves Europe. Even the Pope reminds us not to condemn Russian culture.
4.5 million Ukrainians fought as part of the Soviet Army. Later in the war a full third of the troop total consisted of Ukrainians.
Finally, someone who knows the cruel history of the Fascist-Nationalist Ukrainians. After WWI they massacred hundreds of thousands of Jews and Poles in Ukraine a province of Russia. Before the Nazis crashed over the border, the Fascist Ukrainians welcomed them by butchering Jews in Kiev, etc. then they donned SS uniforms and fought alongside the Nazis invaders and hunted down Ukrainian partisans while being blessed by Ukrainian priests. After WWII, they were welcomed by the West to find refuge in USA, Canada, England, etc. , trained and supplied as spies, saboteurs to terrorize and kill opposition well into the 1950s.
Now they’re embraced by enlightened Nazis Europe-USA in their historic quest to dismember and colonize Russia in a repeat of their infamous invasion of Russia in 1917–1920 with the help of Japan in Siberia
What does Ukraine / Russia have to do with an opera house ? Aren’t opera houses supposed to be places of culture openness and understanding or are they political arms of governments?
If Netrebko is or was aligned with Putin and is paying the consequences what is this ridiculous charade of lighting up Ukrainian’s flag? Why does a reputed opera have to get involved in cheap politics?
The total number of Ukrainian and Russian troops killed or wounded since the war in Ukraine began 18 months ago is nearing 500,000, as reported in the New York Times on August 18.
Your ignorant “cheap politics” reference is offensive to all of humanity. The world should be humbled by such atrocities.
Oh for crying out loud. Enough with this endless need to comply with the stupid TNI narrative that has made the war in Ukraine into a pseudo-religious experience. The TNI is just a bunch of control freaks. They don’t give a rat’s arse about Ukraine, believe me.