Anna Netrebko facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Anna Netrebko
Анна Нетребко
Anna Netrebko at the 2013 Romy Award Gala
Born	(1971-09-18) 18 September 1971 (age 53) Krasnodar, Soviet Union
Citizenship	Russia Austria
Alma mater	Saint Petersburg Conservatory
Occupation	Operatic soprano
Years active	1993–present
Partner(s)	Simone Alberghini (1999–2007) Erwin Schrott (2007–2013) Yusif Eyvazov [de] (2014–2024)
Children	1
Awards	State Prize of the Russian Federation People's Artist of Russia Kammersängerin

Anna Netrebko (born September 18, 1971) is a famous Russian and Austrian opera singer. She is a soprano, which means she sings the highest vocal parts in opera. Anna Netrebko has performed in many of the world's most famous opera houses, like the Metropolitan Opera in New York, the Vienna State Opera, and La Scala in Milan.

She is one of the few Russian performers who have become very successful around the world. A famous conductor named Valery Gergiev helped her start her career at the Mariinsky Theatre in Russia. She became globally known after her performance in Mozart's Don Giovanni at the Salzburg Festival in 2002. Anna Netrebko first sang lighter opera roles, but later moved on to more dramatic and powerful characters in 19th-century operas. Since 2016, she has focused on a style of opera called verismo, which means "realism" and often features strong emotions.

She has been an exclusive artist for Deutsche Grammophon, a major classical music label, since 2003. She has won many awards, including several Echo Klassik Awards, and was named one of the Time 100 most influential people in 2007. She also received important titles like People's Artist of Russia in 2008 and Austrian Kammersängerin in 2017, which is a special honor for a singer.

Early Life and Training

Anna Netrebko was born in Krasnodar, a city in Russia. Her family has roots in the Kuban Cossacks, a group of people known for their history and culture. While she was studying at the Saint Petersburg Conservatory, a music school, Anna worked as a janitor at the Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg. Later, when she auditioned for the theater, the conductor Valery Gergiev recognized her. He then became her singing teacher and mentor.

Her Amazing Career

Starting Out (1994–2001)

Anna Netrebko made her first opera stage appearance at the Mariinsky Theatre in 1994. She was 22 years old and sang the role of Susanna in The Marriage of Figaro. In the same year, she also performed as the Queen of the Night in The Magic Flute. She quickly became a regular performer at the Mariinsky Theatre.

In 1995, Anna made her first appearance in America at the San Francisco Opera. She sang the role of Lyudmila. After this success, she often returned to San Francisco to perform in many other operas. She also made her debut at the Metropolitan Opera in New York in 1998 and at the Salzburg Festival. In these early years, she sang her first Violetta in Verdi's La traviata and Amina in La sonnambula.

Becoming Famous (2002–2010)

Anna Netrebko's big international breakthrough came in August 2002. She sang Donna Anna in Don Giovanni at the Salzburg Festival, which made her very well-known. She then performed in many other major opera houses, including the Royal Opera in London, the Vienna State Opera, and the Bavarian State Opera.

In 2005, she starred in a new production of La traviata at the Salzburg Festival, which was very popular. She continued to perform in famous operas like Rigoletto and Don Pasquale at the Metropolitan Opera. In 2007, she made her debut at Carnegie Hall, a famous concert venue in New York. She also performed at the Last Night of the Proms in London, a huge outdoor concert.

Anna Netrebko and Vladimir Putin at the Mariinsky Theatre after she received the honorary title of People's Artist of Russia in 2008

In 2008, she sang Violetta again at the Royal Opera House in London to great praise. She also made her Paris Opera debut. After taking time off for her son's birth, she returned to the stage in 2009, singing Lucia in Lucia di Lammermoor at the Mariinsky Theatre and the Metropolitan Opera. She continued to perform in many operas, including La bohème, Carmen, and Manon, and appeared at the Salzburg Festival.

Taking on Bigger Roles (2011–2022)

Anna Netrebko as Leonora in Il trovatore at the Salzburg Festival 2014

In 2011, Anna Netrebko sang the main role in Donizetti's Anna Bolena at the Vienna State Opera. This performance was even broadcast live to cinemas around the world. She was also invited to open three new seasons at the Metropolitan Opera in a row, which is a very special honor.

She started singing more challenging and dramatic roles, like Lady Macbeth in Macbeth and Leonora in Il trovatore. Critics praised her powerful voice in these roles. In 2014, she sang the Olympic Anthem in Russian at the 2014 Winter Olympics opening ceremony.

In 2016, Anna decided to withdraw from some productions of Bellini's Norma because her voice was changing and developing. She then debuted as Elsa in Lohengrin in Germany and Russia. In 2017, she took on several new roles, including the main characters in Adriana Lecouvreur and Aida, and Maddalena in Andrea Chénier. In 2018, she sang Tosca at the Metropolitan Opera.

She also performed at major events like the opening and closing galas for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. In 2019, she opened the Vienna Opera Ball and performed at the opening ceremony of the 2019 European Games.

In 2020, during the COVID-19 lockdown, she performed in concerts as theaters slowly reopened. She later had to be treated for COVID-19-related pneumonia.

Recent Career and Challenges

In February 2022, after the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Anna Netrebko faced pressure to speak out. She said she was against the war but didn't want to be forced to share her political views. Because of this, some opera houses canceled her performances. She then announced she would take a break from performing.

On March 30, 2022, she made another statement, strongly condemning the war in Ukraine and saying her thoughts were with the victims. She also clarified that she was not allied with any Russian leader and had only met President Putin a few times for awards or events. She stated she lives and pays taxes in Austria and receives no financial support from the Russian government. She planned to start performing again in May 2022. After this statement, some people in Russia called her a traitor, and her Russian performances were canceled.

In 2023, an arbitrator ruled that the Metropolitan Opera had to pay her for canceled performances, but she also had to pay a penalty for some of her earlier statements.

Since May 2022, Anna Netrebko has resumed her performances, with many of her concerts being very successful. She has sung in operas like Manon Lescaut, Aida, and Turandot at famous venues like the Arena di Verona and the Vienna State Opera. In 2023, she helped open the 100th edition of the Arena di Verona Festival.

Controversy over Makeup

Anna Netrebko has sometimes used face-darkening makeup when playing the character of Aida, an Ethiopian princess. This practice, sometimes called "blackface," has caused controversy in the opera world. Many people believe it is wrong because of its history of being used to mock people of color.

In 2019 and 2022, there was strong criticism when photos showed her performing in this makeup. In response, an American soprano named Angel Blue canceled her performances at the Arena di Verona Festival because the company insisted on using this makeup. This led to a big discussion among singers and opera fans about whether such practices should continue. The Arena di Verona Festival stated it was difficult to change their long-standing production to avoid the makeup.

Other Activities

Anna Netrebko is involved in charity work. She is an honorary director of the Russian Children's Welfare Society and has helped raise money for them. She has also been an ambassador for SOS Children's Villages in Austria, which helps children in need, and supports a village in Russia. In 2012, she co-founded a charity called "Anna Netrebko and Erwin Schrott 4 Kids" to support education, art, and youth.

She even made a small appearance as herself in the 2004 movie The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement.

Personal Life

Anna Netrebko became an Austrian citizen in 2006. She explained that it was difficult to get visas as a Russian citizen for her many performances abroad.

She was engaged to Uruguayan opera singer Erwin Schrott, and their son, Tiago Aruã, was born in 2008. They later separated in 2013.

In 2014, Anna began a relationship with Azerbaijani tenor Yusif Eyvazov [de], who was her co-star in an opera. They got engaged and married in Vienna in December 2015. Many famous people, including Plácido Domingo, attended their wedding celebration. Anna announced their separation in June 2024.

Anna Netrebko has homes in Saint Petersburg, Vienna, and New York City.

Awards and Honors

Music Awards

Anna Netrebko has won many awards for her singing. She received the 2006 Bambi Award for classical music. She was named "Singer of the Year" and "Female Artist of the Year" at the Classic Brit Awards in 2007 and 2008. The magazine Musical America called her a "genuine superstar for the 21st century" and named her Musician of the Year for 2008.

She won "Female Singer of the Year" at the Echo Klassik Award in 2014 and 2016. She also won "Best Vocalist in Classical Music" at the Russian National Music Awards multiple times. In 2017, she won "Best Female Singer" at the International Opera Awards. In 2020, she received the Swedish Polar Music Prize, which is a very prestigious award in music. In 2022, she won an "Österreichischer Musiktheaterpreis" for her role as Lady Macbeth.

State Honors and Other Recognitions

In 2004, Anna Netrebko received the State Prize of the Russian Federation, a high honor in Russia. In 2008, she was named People's Artist of Russia. The Austrian government also gave her the title of Kammersängerin in 2017. In 2018, she received the Order of Friendship from the president of Azerbaijan.

On her 50th birthday in 2021, she celebrated with a concert in Moscow, featuring many famous friends and singers. Part of the money from ticket sales went to a charity that helps orphans.

An asteroid, 31104 Annanetrebko, was named in her honor in 2018.

Recordings

Opera Roles

Images for kids

• 

  Anna Netrebko and Vladimir Putin in 2004 as she received the State Prize of the Russian Federation.

• 

  Anna Netrebko with her husband Yusif Eyvazov and Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev in May 2019.

See Also

In Spanish: Anna Netrebko para niños

• Teodor Currentzis, Russian Greek conductor