Ambassador of Ukraine Asks Hungarian Opera House to Cancel Russian Singer’s Gala Event

The Ambassador of Ukraine asked for the cancellation of Anna Netrebko, Russian opera singer’s long-sold out orchestra gala evening – announced Szilveszter Ókovács, director of the Hungarian State Opera House, reported Magyar Nemzet.

The director of the Opera House shared the letter penned by Ambassador Sándor Fegyir on his Facebook page. According to the ambassador, Ms Netrebko is known to have links with Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom she openly supports, as a result of which she has had her contract publicly terminated by the Metropolitan Opera in New York. In his view,

the Hungarian State Opera House has taken certain risks by inviting the artist because her performance could become a platform for spreading narratives contrary to European values and human rights principles.

Sándor Fegyir therefore asked Szilveszter Ókovács to cancel the concert.

The director replied by saying “thank you for your letter, written in impeccable Hungarian, which I particularly appreciate. However, I must, unfortunately, take issue with its content. Opera is not a political product, nor a martial one. The artists are neither politicians nor soldiers. (…) In a sense, the artist is a shoemaker, like Hans Sachs in Wagner: and no one bans cobblers in times of war,” Ókovács wrote.

The director of the Opera House is convinced that art has the power for good, and for this reason alone,

muses should not be silenced in times of war, especially as Hungary is not a belligerent party and does not wish to play the role of an unwanted judge in an intractable fratricidal conflict.

“As for Anna Netrebko, we are talking about the greatest soprano in the world today, who has been touring for the past three years. She is celebrated on stages in Milan, Paris, Berlin, Madrid, Vienna, and also in America. The musicians of our Opera House have the opportunity to perform with her for the ninth time, at home and abroad. I have known Anna for almost ten years, she has never been political,” Ókovács clarified.

In his letter, he asked the ambassador not to target the Hungarian State Opera House or the performance for which the highest ticket sales have been recorded in the 141-year history of the institution, which is a sign that our compatriots do value Anna Netrebko’s art.

“In conclusion, let me remind you that Hungary is an island of peace, and that also is the Opera House, employing many excellent Ukrainian and Russian dancers intending to soothe and comfort us with the power of the arts as a whole,” he added.

On the brink of a ceasefire, I would particularly like to protect the tranquillity, intelligent inner workings and political neutrality of the largest Hungarian performing arts institution”, concluded the director, who invited Sándor Fegyir to a performance.

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