According to US media reports, the Russian filed a lawsuit in New York on Friday (local time) in which she demands damages of at least 360,000 US dollars (about 330,000 euros). The opera house denied the allegations that the lawsuit had “no value,” it said in a statement. Netrebko had previously tried, in some cases successfully, to obtain compensation payments from the Metropolitan Opera through the US Union of Opera Performers.

Work put on hold after Russia invaded Ukraine

In March 2022, shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the famous opera house in Manhattan announced that it would put its collaboration with Netrebko on hold. The opera house has asked Netrebko to withdraw her public support for Russian President Vladimir Putin. The Russian did not do this, the opera had announced. As a result, Netrebko would have withdrawn from planned upcoming appearances. Director Peter Gelb spoke of an “artistic loss”, but according to his own statements saw “no other way”.