Lucerne Government Explains Withdrawal from Anna Netrebko’s Performances

Earlier this year, the soprano’s performances were canceled after alleged threats of public disorder

As reported in the Luzerner Zeitung, soprano Anna Netrebko’s long-planned performance at the Lucerne Culture and Convention Center (KKL) was canceled at the beginning of May 2024. 

Months after the cancellation, the KKL and the government of Lucerne government released a new reason for canceling the concert.

Originally, the KKL cited Netrebko’s association with the Kremlin as the reason for cancellation. the concert venue stated that “The KKL Lucerne was not available for Anna Netrebko’s concert” due to “public perception of the soloist” and her close ties to Putin.

In 2022, Netrebko was faced with canceled concerts at the Met when she could not give a clear withdrawal of support for the Russian President Vladimir Putin. Despite later posting that she opposed the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, she withdrew her Met appearances.

Additionally, the Lucerne government had then put pressure on KKL leadership, saying it was “not opportune for a Russian artist who is presumably loyal to the regime to perform at the KKL,” the Luzerner Zeitung wrote.

Most recently, the KKL and the Lucerne government stated that if Netrebko performed, it would cause “damage and reputational risks,” such as disruptive demonstrations, rallies, and protests by human rights or cultural activists. The government also cited various protests against Netrebko’s appearances that have since taken place in various places in Europe.

The council further stated that the city and canton of Lucerne only communicated their stance on the matter through a letter to the KKL and not as a public announcement, adding that the KKL then made its own decisions to cancel Netrebko’s performance and is hence liable for any repayment of damages. 

Netrebko is currently performing at Milan’s Teatro alla Scala in Verdi’s opera La Forza del Destino and is set to perform in Zurich in 2025.

(Photo credit: Jack Vartoogian/Getty Images)