Renowned Russian opera singer Anna Netrebko has sought to distance herself from Vladimir Putin, expressing “regret” that any allegiance had been “misinterpreted”.
In a statement to the PA news agency, the soprano said she had only met the Russian president “a couple of times” amid criticism of her failure to condemn the invasion of Ukraine.
The 50-year-old said: “I am not a member of any political party nor affiliated with any leader in Russia.
Anna Netrebko with her Female Artist of the Year award at the 2008 Classical Brit Awards (Yui Mok/PA)
“I acknowledge and regret that any previous actions or statements made by me could be misconstrued.”
She said she met Mr Putin “a couple of times”, mostly at awards ceremonies.
She said: “I have never otherwise received any financial support from the Russian government and I live and am a tax resident in Austria.
“I love my native Russia and seek peace and unity only through my art.”
Netrebko previously withdrew from engagements at the Metropolitan Opera rather than reconsider her support for Mr Putin, it was reported, costing the company one of its top singers and top box office draws.
She said she will be performing again later in the year.
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https://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/russian-soprano-anna-netrebko-distances-herself-from-putin-41504379.html Russian soprano Anna Netrebko distances herself from Putin