Anna Netrebko to Debut Abigaille Role at Wiesbaden May Festival

Controversial Russian soprano to perform in concert version of Verdi's "Nabucco"

Hundreds of protesters gathered outside Hessisches Staatstheater Wiesbaden prior to the performance

Wiesbaden, Germany - Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the Hessisches Staatstheater Wiesbaden on Saturday evening ahead of a concert performance of Verdi's "Nabucco" starring controversial Russian soprano Anna Netrebko.

Netrebko, who has been criticized for her alleged support of Russian President Vladimir Putin, is set to debut in the role of Abigaille in the May Festival production.

The protesters, many of whom carried Ukrainian flags and chanted slogans against Netrebko and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, expressed outrage over her continued involvement in the festival.