Ukraine conference

Anna Netrebko concert in Lucerne canceled

Anna Netrebko at a performance(Bild: glomex)

A concert by the Austrian-Russian singer Anna Netrebko has been canceled in Lucerne. The reason given is the geographical and temporal proximity of the performance to the Ukraine peace conference on the Bürgerstock on June 15 and 16. The concert had been planned for June 1.

As the authorities are expecting a "threat to public order", the Lucerne Culture and Convention Center (KKL) has been asked to cancel the singer's concert. This was reported by the "Luzerner Zeitung" on Wednesday. According to the report, there was also pressure from the local government because the public perception of Netrebko is controversial.

Anna Netrebko(Bild: glomex)

Netrebko has repeatedly been accused of not distancing herself sufficiently from the war in Ukraine. The artist is also said to be close to Russian ruler Vladimir Putin. Her management has now announced that the singer made several statements in March 2022 "in which she spoke out against the war and called for peace in Ukraine" (see video above). Her position has not changed and she has not returned to Russia.

No disruption to performances so far
Netrebko regretted the unilateral cancellation "contrary to the contractual obligations with the organizers." The peace conference would only be held two weeks after the concert date, and none of her almost one hundred performances since the start of the Ukrainian war had led to a disruption of public order.

In recent years, the singer has repeatedly been invited by major international venues. Netrebko has lived in Austria since 2006 and has both Russian and Austrian citizenship.