Controversial Russian Soprano Anna Netrebko Returns To Zurich

(MENAFN- Swissinfo) Russian soprano Anna Netrebko, who is said to be close to Russian president Vladimir Putin, is to perform at the Zurich Opera House from November. This content was published on April 10, 2025 - 17:45 3 minutes Keystone-SDA

• Français fr Retour controversé de la soprano russe Anna Netrebko à Zurich Original Read more: Retour controversé de la soprano russe Anna Netrebko à Zuric

+ Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox

The institution's new director, Matthias Schulz, says he does not fear any negative reactions.

“I'm convinced that she deserves to be given this chance,” the future director of Zurich Opera told the media on Thursday at the presentation of the 2025/26 season. In his view, it is wrong to make scapegoats of artists simply because we cannot get to the people who are really responsible.

Protecting artists

“As a cultural institution, we have a responsibility to protect artists from false ideologisation,” says Matthias Schulz, who takes up his new post on 1 August.“I spoke to her personally about this before hiring her. In Zurich, Anna Netrebko is due to sing Donna Leonora in Giuseppe Verdi's opera“La Force du Destin”, from 2 November.

More More What's behind Switzerland's caution over unfreezing Russian assets to aid Ukraine?

This content was published on Apr 10, 2025 It's unlikely Switzerland will unlock the Russian assets it holds to fund the war in Ukraine anytime soon.

Read more: What's behind Switzerland's caution over unfreezing Russian assets to aid Ukraine

MENAFN10042025000210011054ID1109415388