The acclaimed Russian soprano also makes a substantial donation to a rebel-held opera house.

One of the world’s most sought after opera stars, Russian-Austrian soprano Anna Netrebko has apparently publically pinned her political colours to the mast by posing in a photo, posted online last weekend, with Ukrainian separatist politician Oleg Tsaryov, while holding the flag of Novorossia, the amalgamation of territories claimed by pro-Russian forces seeking independence from Kiev.

Anna Netrebko posing with pro-Russian flag

The photo was taken at a press conference following a performance in St Petersburg where Netrebko also announced that she would be donating 1million roubles (the equivalent of around $23,000) to the Donetsk Opera Theatre. Donetsk is a city currently under the control of pro-Russia separatists and has been shelled in recent months by the Ukrainian Army. Consequently much of the population of the city has fled, including many of the singers and musicians from the opera house. Despite this the theatre has announced plans to stage operas and ballets later in 2015. 

Speaking at the press conference Netrebko explained her donation saying “I have a lot of musician friends in Donetsk… I decided that I wanted to help as much as I can. It’s the right thing to do because art is art, and helps us get through all situations.” Netrebko also said she would travel to the city and perform there as soon as fighting between the Ukrainian Army and separatists had ceased, although when she was quizzed about her political views on the conflict she declined to answer.

Minutes later however the singer posed for a picture with Tsaryov, who is wanted by authorities in Kiev on charges of separatism. It is a move that implies a political allegiance with Russian President Vladimir Putin, although the singer has not publically spoken in support of the Russian occupation of the Ukraine. A recent backlash against Valery Gergiev, the current Principal Conductor of the London Symphony Orchestra, who is a close friend of Putin, has seen performances disrupted and some engagements withdrawn due to his apparent support of Russia’s anti-gay legislation.