Star soprano Anna Netrebko sues the New York Metropolitan Opera
When war broke out in Ukraine, the New York Metropolitan Opera parted company with Russian soprano Anna Netrebko. She is now taking her case to court.
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- The New York Metropolitan Opera has ended its work with Anna Netrebko following the start of the war in Ukraine.
- The 51-year-old soprano is now suing her ex-employer.
- The opera is defending itself, claiming that the Russian has not distanced herself from Putin's war.
Following the termination of her collaboration in response to the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine, star soprano Anna Netrebko has sued the New York Metropolitan Opera.
According to US media reports, the Russian soprano filed a lawsuit in New York on August 4, claiming damages of at least 360,000 US dollars (around 314,000 Swiss francs).
The opera house rejected the allegations, stating in a statement that the lawsuit had "no merit".
Netrebko had already been partially successful in obtaining compensation from the Metropolitan Opera via the US opera performers' union.
Opera director Peter Gelb: "Artistic loss"
The famous opera house in Manhattan announced in March 2022, shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, that it was putting its collaboration with Anna Netrebko on hold.
The opera house had asked Netrebko to withdraw her public support for Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, the opera house announced that the Russian had not done so.
As a result, Netrebko withdrew from planned upcoming performances. Director Peter Gelb spoke of an "artistic loss", but said he saw "no other way".