Taiwan's National Symphony Orchestra canceled a March 5 concert scheduled to feature soprano Anna Netrebko in a decision the orchestra said it made
Netrebko had been .
The orchestra said in a statement Tuesday that ticket buyers will be offered refunds.
Netrebko, a 51-year-old who was born in Russia and lives in Vienna, was among classical music's top draws until last year, when New York's Metropolitan Opera dropped her after she refused to distance herself from Russian President Vladimir Putin following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
He schedule lists upcoming concerts in Hong Kong on March 9 and 11, and at Tokyo on March 15. She is scheduled to open the 100th anniversary season of Italy's Arena di Verona on June 16 in the title role of Verdi's 鈥淎ida鈥� with Eyvazov, as Radam猫s.
Miguel Esteban, Netrebko's manager, said she was not commenting on the decision.
"Anna was ready, willing and able to sing to her fans in Taipei." Esteban said in an email to The Associated Press. 鈥淔ollowing discussions that began in January 2022, this invitation was formally proposed and accepted in September 2022."
Esteban listed Netrebko's 鈥渕ore than two dozen exceptional performances鈥� since.
"It is unfortunate that someone has allowed the dissonant voices of a minority to deprive a majority from hearing one of the most beautiful operatic voices today,鈥� he said.
The Associated Press
