" #Protesters enraged as #Berlin State Opera lifts ban on #Russian -born soprano
Anna #Netrebko to perform as Lady Macbeth on four dates at #Staatsoper despite concern over Kremlin links
The Berlin State Opera has defended its decision to allow the Russian-born soprano Anna Netrebko to perform on its stage despite protests from people who claim she has failed to unambiguously distance herself from Vladimir #Putin over the invasion of #Ukraine ... Protesters are enraged, with 37,000 people having signed a petition calling for the cancellation of all four performances. #Ukrainian refugees living in Berlin are to lead a demonstration outside the opera house on Unter den Linden this evening, where tickets for the performance have sold out. They have previously demonstrated at venues in Wiesbaden and Baden-Baden where Netrebko has appeared.
The singer has spoken of her disdain towards protesters, denouncing them in one Instagram post as “screaming mermaids with artificial flowers in their hair” – a reference to traditional Ukrainian hair decorations.
More than 100 figureheads from the worlds of culture, politics and academia have also signed a letter addressed to the Staatsoper calling for the concerts to be called off. The mayor of Berlin, the culture minister and other politicians have publicly declined invitations to attend tonight’s performance.
Netrebko has been banned from other opera houses, including New York’s Metropolitan Opera, Prague’s Státní Opera and Tallinn’s Alexela Concert Hall."
#UkraineWar #Russia #Germany #BerlinStateOpera #Staatsoper #Opera #Music #ClassicalMusic
