Verona Cancels Putin-Linked Opera Star's Performance
Artists Facing Consequences for Supporting Russian Aggression
In a world where the arts often transcend political boundaries, some artists are finding that their support for certain political figures can lead to significant professional repercussions. While some doors remain open, others are being shut firmly in the face of tacit or overt support for Russian aggression in Ukraine.
One such artist is Russian opera singer Ildar Abdrazakov. He was scheduled to perform at the Teatro Filarmonico in Verona, Italy, as part of the "Don Giovanni" production in January 2026. However, this performance has now been cancelled. The Verona Arena Foundation, which organises the opera performances, made a brief statement on Thursday announcing that Abdrazakov had been removed from the programme.
The decision came after pressure from the Liberi Oltre le Illusioni association, an organisation known for its anti-corruption and information campaigns. This group had previously been involved in the cancellation of Valery Gergiev's concert in Italy. They accused Abdrazakov of supporting Putin's list during the Russian presidential elections and attempting to return to the Italian stage after his concert at the San Carlo in Naples was cancelled in January 2025.
European Parliament Vice-President Pina Picerno expressed her approval of the cancellation, stating on social media: "Once again, we have defeated Putin and the Kremlin's propaganda." She thanked the Anti-Corruption Foundation and Yulia Navalnaya for their support.
The Russian Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) launched the campaign against Abdrazakov's performance in Verona. After the organisers' decision, the organisation of the late Alexei Navalny commented on a special page dedicated to the campaign: "Victory! The concert by Putin's accomplice and confidant, Ildar Abdrazakov, has been cancelled! Together, we have ensured that there is no longer any room for Putin's propagandist on the Italian stage."
A History of Allegiance to Putin
As Meduza recalls, in 2024, bass-baritone Ildar Abdrazakov became Vladimir Putin's "trusted advisor" during the presidential campaign. He was subsequently appointed a member of the Russian Presidential Council for Culture and the Arts. He now directs the State Opera and Ballet in Sevastopol, in Crimea illegally annexed and occupied by Russia.
Prior to Russia's war in Ukraine, Abdrazakov, 49, performed in the world's greatest concert halls, including London's Covent Garden and New York's Metropolitan Opera. However, due to his support for Putin, he has reportedly been banned from major concert halls in the United States, Paris, Zurich, and Vienna.
His contract with the Teatro di San Carlo in Naples was also terminated in January 2025—same San Carlo that recently engaged Anna Netrebko, who has expressed regret for her support of the separatists in Donetsk and her closeness to the Kremlin.
Government Stance on Cultural Propaganda
Italy's Minister of Culture, Alessandro Giuli, issued a statement supporting the cancellation of Abdrazakov's show. He stressed that it was not just a question of safety but also of rejecting propaganda. "I approve of the Verona Philharmonic Theatre's decision to cancel Ildar Abdrazakov's performance," he said. "This is not primarily a question of security, however important that may be: the arts, and Russian culture in general, like any other, are always welcome in Italy when they serve as a vehicle for dialogue and peace between peoples."
He added, "However, this is not the case when they become a propaganda tool in the service of a despotic power that cannot and must not be allowed citizenship in the free world."
Broader Implications for Artists
This situation highlights the broader implications for artists who align themselves with political figures involved in conflict. For example, the famous Russian conductor Valery Gergiev, one of Vladimir Putin's most vocal supporters, was refused the right to perform as part of the Un'Estate da Re (A King's Summer) festival, organised in the courtyard of the Vanvitellian complex in the Palazzo di Caserta.
Similarly, the Athens State Orchestra has announced the cancellation of a concert by the famous Russian pianist Denis Matsouïev on 21 November. The fifty-year-old native of Irkutsk (Siberia) is known for his friendly relations with the Russian president.
German conductor Justus Frantz, another notable figure, was recently awarded an Order of Friendship by the Kremlin, having personally travelled to Russia to receive the order despite Western sanctions. Justus Frantz described it as "a great honour to be here today and to receive such an important decoration."
These examples illustrate how proximity to Russia's actions in Ukraine can significantly impact an artist's career, even in the realm of the arts.
