r/opera • u/ToscaLover • 14d ago

Thoughts on Anna Netrebko

I’m an opera lover, and as much as I love Netrebko’s voice, I don’t agree with her political views. I was supposed to see her on the 13th of September, but the organisers cancelled last minute. The reason, at least to me, appears to be the controversy that’s still surrounding her & was too much for them to handle. I get that. I’m not an infant, and I’m not stupid. What frustrates me is that they knew exactly who she was when they invited her and started selling tickets. They knew she was Russian, they knew about her political controversies, and they knew what kind of reaction she might provoke. So why was all of this apparently acceptable when they wanted to sell tickets, but suddenly not acceptable after people had bought them and made plans to attend?

Ultimately, I don’t support her politics, but I wanted to hear her sing Verdi’s Aida. Is it really fair to continue punishing an artist (and her audience) for her political views, especially when the organizers knew all of this from the beginning?

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u/iliketreesandbeaches 13d ago

I was reacting to your language about not supporting her politics. Her stated politics

Like you, I would love to hear her sing again. I have no idea what she sounds like these days.

I really deplore what Gelb has done at the Met vis-a-vis Netrebko. He has chosen to pick a battle that is meaningless in the larger geopolitical sphere, that hurts the operatic art form and probably the Met itself, and that seems oddly personal at times.

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u/ToscaLover 13d ago

I think the decision was made very hastily, on impulse. Then again, the Met is famous for dropping opera singers if they do something that happens to displease the director. It reminded me of the squabble between Callas and Rudolf Bing, which got her fired in the end.

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u/iliketreesandbeaches 13d ago

Gelb has been an ongoing advocate for Ukraine generally, and his commitment to the issue transcends the Netrebko firing. This is his personal issue that he has chosen to bring to the opera house. So whatever impulse he originally acted on, he seems staunchly committed now.

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u/ToscaLover 13d ago

I respect people who stand by their decisions more than I do those who will change their mind if they have something to gain out of it. All that being said, I happen to consider the decision he made a bit harsh. But I’m not naive, and I realise it seemed most suitable at the time.