The Met to Cut Ties With Putin Allied Artists

As Russia continues their advance on Ukraine, many organizations are choosing to cut ties with Russian government allies. The Met has joined this list by cutting ties with artists and institutions that support or are supported by Putin.

New York‘s iconic opera house has issued a statement regarding Putin’s invasion, standing in solidarity with Ukraine and supporting their resistance efforts. As an international opera company, the Met hopes to use their status to raise awareness and urge government officials to condemn Putin’s actions. 

The Met’s general manager, Peter Gelb, didn’t specify which artists and institutions would be cut, but according to NPR, there are three figures that could be at risk. The Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, conductor Valery Gergiev and soprano Anna Netrebko have all been allied with Putin in the past.

It’s terrible that artistic relationships, at least temporarily, are the collateral damage of these actions by Putin.

Met General Manager, Peter Gelb

They will also be staging a March 14th concert to raise funds for Ukraine. The opera will be performing the Ukrainian national anthem, as well as “Prayer for Ukraine” by composer Valentin Silvestrov. Other organizations, including City Winery and New York’s College of Performing Arts, will be hosting their own charity events.

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