After her statement against Vladimir Putin's attack on Ukraine, soprano Anna Netrebko has now fallen out of favor at an opera house in her native Russia.
A concert in Novosibirsk scheduled for June 2 was canceled, the opera in the Siberian metropolis announced.
The reason is a message from the artist in which she condemns the actions of "our state".
"Life in Europe and the opportunity to perform on European stages are more important to them than the fate of their homeland," said the statement from the State Academic Theater for Opera and Ballet.
Anyone in Russia who criticizes Putin's war against Ukraine lives dangerously and can be punished with heavy fines or even imprisonment.
Netrebko, who lives mainly in Austria and also appears in Russia at the world-famous Bolshoi Theater and at the Mariinsky in St. Petersburg, should have a hard time with engagements at home after her criticism.
Many prominent cultural figures have left Russia for fear of their safety.
Putin had said now was the time to find traitors and cleanse the country of them.
In September, when Netrebko was allowed to celebrate her 50th birthday in the Kremlin, the president raved about Netrebko's internationally admired singing skills.
He praised Netrebko, who had already supported him in the presidential election, as "an open, charming and kind-hearted person with a life-affirming character and a clear position as a citizen".
Russia is proud of Netrebko, who was considered the country's friendly face in the world.
But that's probably over now.
At first only hesitant criticism of aggressive war
The theater in Novosibirsk decided not to make its stage, hall and orchestra available to the organizers of the concert.
“We are convinced the truth is on our side.
We shouldn't be afraid that there are creative artists who are turning their backs on their homeland.
Our country is rich in talent, and the stars of yesterday are being replaced by others with a clear stance as citizens.”
After the war began on February 24, Netrebko was hesitant at first, but then spoke out against the war.
That was considered remarkable because the word alone is frowned upon in Russia.
Kremlin chief Putin calls the unprecedented and extremely bloody invasion a "special military operation".
On Wednesday, Netrebko distanced himself more clearly from Putin after Western houses canceled appearances.
"My position is clear.
I am not a member of any political party nor am I affiliated with any leader in Russia,” she said through her German lawyer.
The star soprano in colorful outfits is currently posting pictures of her time off and her travels on her Instagram channel.
"I love my home country Russia and only strive for peace and unity through my art," she said through her lawyer.
After an announced break from performing, she wants to resume opera and concert performances in Europe at the end of May.
However, the President of the German Stage Association, Hamburg Senator for Culture Carsten Brosda (SPD), does not consider her distancing from Putin to be credible.
First she lets herself be photographed with the East Ukrainian separatist leader Oleg Zarjov together with the "New Russia flag", then she celebrates her 50th birthday in the Kremlin.
“Do that and then let the lawyer claim that you are not political?
You take your own audience for fools," said Brosda in an interview with the Hamburger Abendblatt (Friday).
Accordingly, he is critical of the catch-up date planned for September for a Netrebko concert in Hamburg's Elbphilharmonie.
"I don't think it would be good if this concert took place then." After Russian troops invaded Ukraine, several concert halls canceled performances by Netrebko, including a concert planned for early March at the Elbphilharmonie.
Brosda said, "Where artists have an affinity with the Putin system, or have enjoyed privileges from that affinity and are unable to behave rationally, there is no basis for further collaboration."
That also applies to Netrebko.
Other tones came from Frankfurt.
"Anna Netrebko took a clear stance against the war in Ukraine and in that respect acted correctly," said the organizer of Rhein Main Concerts.
A concert with Netrebko at the Alte Oper that was planned for June was postponed – but “out of respect for the current situation”.
"We are very pleased to be able to announce a new date," wrote the organizer.
It is now scheduled to take place in January 2023.
The Berlin State Opera Unter den Linden, in turn, initially wants to wait for direct talks with the singer.
"At the moment she has decided not to do "Turandot" with us in this phase, we agreed on that with her," said director Matthias Schulz on Thursday, according to the State Opera.
"I can't comment on future projects yet, basically we said that Russian artists will of course continue to perform with us," said Schulz.
"It would be important for me to speak directly to Anna Netrebko first, I would like to wait and see."