Dozens of protesters gathered outside the Royal Opera House in London to demonstrate against Russian soprano Anna Netrebko, who performed on the opening night of Tosca. Nicknamed 'Putin's diva', Netrebko has faced backlash for her past association with the Russian president, despite condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The crowd of about 50 demonstrators included Natalia Filatova, wrapped in the Ukrainian flag, who called the decision a 'disgrace'. Oleksandra Vietrova held a sign reading 'Behind the curtain, blood and tanks', saying polite communication had failed. The protest concluded with a rendition of Ukraine's national anthem and the lighting of yellow candles.
Netrebko, 53, was ostracised by major opera houses after the 2022 invasion but has since been gradually reinstated. She received a People's Artist award from Putin in 2008 and made a donation to a Donetsk opera house in 2014, later photographed with a separatist flag. She has since said she regrets any misinterpretation of her actions and has not performed in Russia since 2022.
Last month, over 50 Ukrainian artists, UK MPs, and former New Zealand prime minister Helen Clark urged the Royal Ballet and Opera to drop Netrebko, calling her a 'longtime symbol of cultural propaganda'. The RBO defended its decision, stating it has a duty to showcase great performers and noting Netrebko's condemnation of the war. Other European opera houses have also featured her in recent seasons.
