After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Russian soprano Anna Netrebko became persona non grata on many stages because she was reluctant to condemn the war of aggression. Critics accuse her of a lack of distance from the Kremlin. At her appearance in Regensburg, she is also received by protesters.
The Russian opera star Anna Netrebko performed at the Regensburg Castle Festival. It was the first of the singer’s four planned concerts in Germany. The guest performances are controversial because, according to critics, Netrebko does not distance himself clearly enough from Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, she had spoken out publicly against the Ukraine war.
A small group of demonstrators gathered in front of the entrance to Thurn und Taxis Castle on Friday evening to protest against the singer’s performance and against Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Signs read “Anna, how about a benefit concert in Ukraine” and “Not in NY, not in Stuttgart, why here?” to read. A poster showed a photo of the singer together with Putin.
A Netrebko concert planned for September 3rd in Stuttgart in front of the New Palace there was recently canceled. The Ministry of Finance in Baden-Württemberg, which also includes the administration of the state castles, had previously announced that it did not think it would be possible for the singer to perform while the war in Ukraine was ongoing.
In Regensburg, Netrebko first appeared on the stage in a sparkling, green evening dress; after the break she wore a mint dress. She was accompanied, among others, by the Hofer Symphoniker and her husband, the tenor Yusif Eyvazov. The program included works by Giuseppe Verdi, George Bizet, Jacques Offenbach and Peter Tchaikovsky. There was enthusiastic applause from the Regensburg audience.
According to organizer Reinhard Söll, the concert was almost sold out. He had no safety concerns, he said before the concert. As a precaution, however, he hired additional security personnel. The inner courtyard of the castle is said to hold 3,000 spectators. The lady of the house, Princess Gloria von Thurn und Taxis, was also in the audience.
Netrebko’s latest album “Amata Dalle Tenebre” was released in November 2021. According to her website, the soprano has also played in Cologne, Hamburg and Frankfurt.
