Anna Netrebko’s gender discrimination lawsuit is proceeding.
A federal judge, Annalisa Torres, has allowed the case to move forward, citing Netrebko’s claims that male opera singers with connections to Putin were treated more favourably by the Metropolitan Opera.
In her 23-page ruling, Torres noted that Netrebko provided examples such as male singer Ildar Abdrazakov, who performed at political events and organised a Kremlin-backed music festival, and Evgeny Nikitin, who participated in a Victory Day event involving Putin. Netrebko also highlighted that Igor Golovatenko and Alexey Markov performed at state-sponsored venues since the invasion of Ukraine.
Netrebko argues that she was targeted due to her gender, with the Met allegedly aiming to make a visible statement of support for Ukraine by sidelining her, while maintaining relationships with her male counterparts.
Torres concluded that Netrebko’s claim of gender discrimination is plausible. However, she dismissed Netrebko’s claims of defamation, nationality discrimination, and breach of contract.
A representative for the Met commented, “We’re pleased to see that three of the four claims were completely dismissed and strongly believe that the fourth claim will also prove to be without merit should it go to trial.”
Miguel Esteban, manager for Anna Netrebko, stated, “It is normal for a court to narrow the issues during litigation, but this court recognises that the facts as alleged show that the Met wronged Anna Netrebko and that there is still an important case before it. Anna Netrebko remains fully committed to pursuing this complaint, to vindicating her rights, restoring her reputation, and demonstrating that the Metropolitan Opera and Peter Gelb treated her unlawfully.”
Since the onset of the war in Ukraine, General Manager Peter Gelb has publicly emphasised the Met’s support for Ukraine and severed ties with the Bolshoi Theatre, explaining that his decision was influenced by the direct connection between Putin and the Bolshoi’s management. He has also stated that the Met would cut ties with artists or institutions supportive of or supported by Putin. Given that Russian arts institutions are backed by Putin’s Minister of Culture, Gelb argues that any artist performing there is implicitly supported by the Russian leader.
Netrebko has condemned the war on three occasions and has not returned to Russia since the conflict began. In contrast, Ildar Abdrazakov, who endorsed Putin, was allowed a “pause” in his relationship with the Met. Gelb commented, “My response is they chose a side and they chose the wrong side. I feel sorry that he, like many other Russians, is so misinformed and doesn’t really understand what’s going on in the world.”
Alexey Markov continues to perform at the Putin-backed Mariinsky Theatre and is scheduled to sing the title role in “Eugene Onegin” in September before returning to the Met for “The Queen of Spades.” Evgeny Nikitin performed in the Met’s “Lohengrin” in 2023 and is slated to appear in the Mariinsky Theatre’s “Meistersinger von Nürnberg.”
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