From Netrebko v. Metropolitan Opera Ass’n Inc., a decision issued Thursday by Judge Analisa Torres of the Southern District of New York:
At the outset of 2022, the Metropolitan Opera dismissed Anna Netrebko, a Russian citizen and formerly its leading soprano, after general manager Peter Gelb grew unhappy with her failure to issue a public statement in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022…
Before 2022, Netrebko was widely described as a supporter of Russian President Vladimir Putin. On February 25, 2022, in the immediate aftermath of the invasion, Netrebko wrote on Instagram, “These are very sad days and we are deeply concerned for the well-being of all people involved. Every war is a terrible tragedy. This is not a time for music but for reflection and prayer. And so we hope and pray for a swift and peaceful resolution.” The Met, the following day, asked Netrebko to publicly “denounc[e] Putin … using specific language” that it had approved. Instead, Netrebko released her own social media post opposing the war but adding that she opposed forcing artists, or any public figure, to express political views publicly or to denounce their homeland. On that same day, Netrebko reposted a third-party comment on her Instagram Story criticizing “people from the West” who “pretend to be brave … by putting in trouble artists who asked nothing” as “human shits” and “as evil as blind aggressors.”
On February 27, 2022, one day after Netrebko’s post, the Metropolitan Opera publicly stated that it “can no longer engage with artists or institutions that support Putin or are supported by him—not until the invasion and killing has been stopped, order has been
Natalie Foster
I’m a political writer focused on making complex issues clear, accessible, and worth engaging with. From local dynamics to national debates, I aim to connect facts with context so readers can form their own informed views. I believe strong journalism should challenge, question, and open space for thoughtful discussion rather than amplify noise.