Protesters enraged as Berlin State Opera lifts ban on Russian-born soprano

The singer’s Berlin performances have prompted a demonstration outside the Staatsoper. Photograph: Luca Bruno/AP

The Berlin State Opera has defended its decision to allow the Russian-born soprano Anna Netrebko to perform on its stage despite protests from people who claim she has failed to unambiguously distance herself from Vladimir Putin over the invasion of Ukraine.

The singer, who has Russian and Austrian nationality, is due to appear at the Staatsoper on Friday and a further three nights in September, performing the role of Lady Macbeth in Giuseppe Verdi’s Macbeth.