Anna Netrebko Sues Met Opera After Being Dropped Over Ukraine War

Russian soprano says she was wrongfully terminated and is seeking $7.8 million in damages

The Metropolitan Opera terminated Netrebko's contract in March 2022 after she refused to publicly condemn Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine

Russian opera singer Anna Netrebko is suing the Metropolitan Opera in New York City after she was dropped following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Netrebko, one of the world's most famous opera singers, had been scheduled to perform at the Met through the 2025-26 season. However, the Met terminated her contract in March 2022 after she refused to publicly condemn Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine.

In her lawsuit, Netrebko alleges that the Met wrongfully terminated her contract and is seeking $7.8 million in damages.

The Met has not yet commented on the lawsuit.

Netrebko is a controversial figure in the opera world. She has been criticized for her past support of Putin, and some opera companies have refused to work with her since the invasion of Ukraine.

However, Netrebko has also defended her right to perform, saying that she is not a political figure and that her art should not be punished because of her political views.