The Russian invasion of Ukraine has permeated the storied halls of New York City’s Metropolitan Opera, with Russian soprano Anna Netrebko being dropped from the starring role in an upcoming production of Giacomo Puccini's “Turandot” because she is a vocal supporter of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Her replacement is Ukranian soprano Liudmyla Monastyrska.
What Happened: According to an NPR report, Met General Manager Peter Gelb initially announced on Feb. 27 that the opera company would not work "with artists or institutions that support Putin or are supported by him — not until the invasion and killing has been stopped, order has been restored, and restitutions have been made."
