Netrebko not only failed to condemn Russia’s growing aggression but publicly offered her support to separatist groups, backed by Russia. In a tweet shared by Oleg Tsarov, Anna Netrebko is pictured after the illegal (and UK government condemned) annexation of Crimea in 2014, standing with a pro-Russian separatist leader, who is also included on the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) sanctions list: https://search-uk-sanctions-list.service.gov.uk/designations/RUS0147/Individual. Tsarov and Netrebko were photographed together holding a Russian separatist “Novorossiya” flag. The tweet includes the caption: “Anna Netrebko has taken up the flag of Novorossiya!” https://x.com/OlegTsarov/status/541954304677249025?t=EkSdMU7OS7YkzpcOhf2UtQ&s=08

 

Dr Roozenbeek from University of Cambridge, explains that Novorossiya (New Russia) is an ideology that is “meant to conjure up feelings of a restored Russian empire and righting the historical “wrong” of assigning Russian lands under Ukrainian jurisdiction. Since 2014, Putin, the Kremlin’s propaganda strategists, and insurgents in the “People’s Republics” of Donetsk and Luhansk repeatedly referred to “Novorossiya” as one of the justifications for Russia’s invasion.” Publicly holding a Novorossiya flag is an expression of support for Russia’s military aggression and imperialistic policies. Indeed, in late 2014, Netrebko pledged to donate one million rubles (£9,235) to the Donetsk Opera Theatre, in Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine.

 

In September 2021, just five months before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Netrebko held a grand concert in the Kremlin. Putin himself sent congratulations to Anna; the congratulatory message is still available on the official Kremlin website (https://www.kremlin.ru/events/president/letters/66714). In the message, it noted that Putin expresses pride in Netrebko’s clear civil position. A cursory search reveals that Netrebko has met with Putin on several occasions, not just once (anna netrebko putin - Google Search).

 

Estonia has already cancelled Netrebko’s performance in 2023, and in May 2024, another performance in Lucerne, Switzerland, was also terminated. In 2022, unable to repudiate her public support to Vladimir Putin, Netrebko withdrew from the Metropolitan Opera in New York (https://www.metopera.org/about/press-releases/anna-netrebko-withdraws-from-met-performanc es-this-spring/).

 

Given the great influence that art and culture has in shaping the public’s values, it is deeply concerning to see the Royal Opera House offering a platform to an artist who, through her own public statements, appears to align with a regime currently responsible for numerous war crimes in Ukraine. This includes, but is not limited to summary executions, torture, rape, destruction of civilian infrastructure, crimes against the environment, and the deliberate targeting of civilians - including children.

 

The Royal Opera House has previously done some excellent work, through Songs for Ukraine, from Autumn 2022 to Spring 2024, to shine a much-needed spotlight on Ukraine. This joint British-Ukrainian choir received significant media attention, being featured on BBC, CNN, and numerous other national outlets. It was even broadcast by the Ukrainian public broadcaster, highlighting its impact and reach. A reversal on this issue would severely damage the goodwill that has been carefully built between the Ukrainian and British music communities.

 

Finally, we would like to emphasise and remind the Royal Opera House of the devastating effect Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues to have. Russia has been killing Ukrainian civilians on a daily basis since 2022, destroying families and robbing young children of their future. Ukrainians are often left without electricity and are sleep-deprived due to constant night air raids. Nearly every Ukrainian has lost a friend, a child, a relative or an acquaintance. Russia denies that the Ukrainian nation exists, this way justifying military aggression in Ukraine since 2014. Russia is committing crimes against human dignity.

 

We strongly urge the Royal Opera House to reconsider its decision and to rescind the invitation to Anna Netrebko to perform. By doing so, the Royal Opera House would send a clear message that it does not condone support for aggressive military regimes and that it remains committed to fostering a culture of peace, democracy and respect for human dignity.

 

We trust that you will give this matter the attention it deserves, and take appropriate action.

 

We look forward to your response.

Yours faithfully, 

 

Letter signed by the following:

Natalia Ravlyuk - Director of Support Ukraine

Petro Rewko MBE - Chair Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain

Iryna Terlecky MBE, Chair Association of Ukrainian Women in Great Britain

Inna Hryhorovych MBE, Executive Director Ukrainian St Mary's Trust

Iryna Jankovics - Director and founder of Ukrainian Dance Ensemble Prolisok, part of

Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain London Branch

Marta Mulyak - Head of Ukraine Scouting Organisation in Great Britain

Ksenia Bugrimova - CEO and Creative Director of WOW Oscar Film Studio

Tetyana Vovnyanko - Trustee and cofounder of British Ukrainian Aid

Mariana Vaszilyiv, Oksana Nepijvoda, Mariana Mazur - Founders of United for Ukraine

Oksana Miletska - Director of Women Fight for Ukraine

Anna Zatsepina - Director of Women Fight for Ukraine

Steve Lacey - Managing Director of the Outsiders

Vlodko Pavluk MBE - Chair of AUGB London Branch

Oksana Nepijvoda - Founder of Sunflower Manchester

Viktorija Volkova - Chair of Lithuanian Hull Community ‘’Linas’’

Maksym Lewyckyj - Head of Ukrainian Youth Association London Branch

Vytas Rudavicius, Agne Kluoniute - Chair of Lithuanian Civil Action

Sergiy Kashylov - West Midlands Ukrainian Community

Vera Tymchyshyn - Organiser of Manchester Stands With Ukraine

Maryan Pokhylyy - Ukrainian Victory Campaign (Scotland)

John Sweeney - Author, Killer In The Kremlin

Svitlana Pyrkalo - Ukrainian writer

Olia Hercules - London-based Ukrainian chef

Maria Romanenko - Award-winning activist and journalist

Jonathan Fink - Creator of Silicon Curtain podcast

Hanna Tekliuk - Edinburgh Spiders

Hsuan-Yi Li - Taiwan Democracy

Thomas Brayford - Ukrainian Focus

Jonathan Campion - Author, Getting Out: The Ukrainian Cricket Team’s Last Stand on the Front Lines of War

Danylo Nifikorov - Ukrainian Students Union

Mykhaylo Yatsyshyn - Ukrainian Children SOS