Anna Netrebko is set to make her return to the US stage, singing at Palm Beach Opera’s annual gala in February next year. The star soprano has been shunned by US opera houses since 2022, when she refused to condemn Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and was dropped by the Metropolitan Opera.
The gala, which Palm Beach Opera is marketing as “An Evening With Anna Netrebko,” is scheduled for Feb. 3, 2025, at The Breakers Palm Beach. Ticket prices begin at $1,250 per person.
Netrebko last performed in the US in 2019, singing in Verdi’s “Macbeth” at the Met. When she was dropped by the Met in March 2022, she was scheduled to sing in Puccini’s “Turandot” the following month. “Anna is one of the greatest singers in Met history,” said Met General Manager Peter Gelb at the time, “but with Putin killing innocent victims in Ukraine, there was no way forward.” The Met replaced Netrebko with Ukrainian soprano Liudmyla Monastyrska as Princess Turandot.
Netrebko has since attempted to distance herself from Russia’s war with Ukraine, softening her public statements and posting messages to social media denouncing the war. She has also sued the Met, alleging defamation, breach of contract, and other violations. The outcome of the suit is still pending.
