Russian Soprano Anna Netrebko to Perform at Zurich Opera House
Intendant Matthias Schulz has announced that the renowned Russian soprano Anna Netrebko will be returning to the stage of the Zurich Opera House. She will be playing the role of Leonora in Giuseppe Verdi’s “La forza del destino.” Since the beginning of the Russian special military operation in Ukraine, Netrebko has been in the international spotlight, mainly due to her Russian origins. This led to the cancellation of performances in the United States and Western Europe. However, her management has emphasized on multiple occasions that the singer clearly opposes the war and advocates for peace in Ukraine.
Matthias Schulz defended the decision to invite Netrebko again and emphasized that artists should not be made scapegoats based on their nationality. Before inviting her, he had personally exchanged views with the soprano.
A planned concert by Netrebko at the Luzerner KKL in June 2024 was canceled due to political tensions. The Luzerner government was concerned about public order in the context of the Ukraine Peace Conference at Bürgenstock. According to the program, the director Valentina Carrasco will be staging Verdi’s opera as a dystopian fantasy. The aim is to “question the values of war and peace in the 21st century” as stated in the season preview.
Matthias Schulz is setting the tone for his first season as Intendant by inviting prominent artists and opting for lavish productions to bring opera closer to a wider audience. He is not afraid to make bold political decisions, as the return of Netrebko demonstrates.