Around the Music Festival

Ukraine’s presidential administration announced on January 7 that 119 Russian artists and media representatives have been newly added to a sanctions list targeting individuals.

In the opera world, soprano Anna Netrebko has been added to the list and will be banned from entering Ukraine, have her assets frozen in Ukraine, and be subject to other sanctions.

Ukraine has repeatedly imposed sanctions on Russian officials, politicians, military personnel, and business people since the Russian armed invasion at the end of last February, and hundreds of people are already on the sanctions list. This time’s list is mainly artists and media representatives.

In addition to Netrebko, other names on the list include film director Nikita Mikhalkov, comedian Evgeny Petrosian, and pop singers Philip Kirkorov and Polina Gagarian. Also included are representatives of media groups.

Since the invasion, Netrebko has been canceled by the Bavarian State Opera in Munich, the Metropolitan Opera in New York, and other Western opera houses because of her perceived proximity to Russian President Vladimir Putin, and many opera houses still do not want her to perform. For this reason, she has issued three statements condemning the war itself through social networking sites.

In her last statement last March, she denied any relationship with the president, saying, “I have met him only a few times in my life, such as when my work received an award and at the opening ceremony of the Olympics. She added, “I unequivocally condemn the war against Ukraine and my thoughts are with the victims of this war and their families. My position is clear,” she stressed.

She added, “I am not a member of any political party and I am not in league with any leader. I acknowledge and regret that my past actions and statements could have been misunderstood. I have never received any financial support from the Russian government, I reside in Austria, and I am a taxpayer,” she defended himself.

However, her statements were met with backlash in Russia, where he was treated as a “traitor” and all of his scheduled concerts were canceled. As a result, Netrebko has not returned to Russia since last February.

Photo：Arena di Verona