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Arena di Verona Drops Ildar Abdrazakov From 'Don Giovanni' Engagement

Activist pressure over the singer’s ties to the Kremlin prompted the decision.

Overview

  • Fondazione Arena di Verona confirmed the bass will not appear in the Philharmonic Theatre of Verona production planned for January 2026.
  • Italian association Liberi Oltre le Illusioni led the push, with Russia’s Anti-Corruption Foundation joining on November 4 citing his public support for Vladimir Putin and state roles.
  • European Parliament Vice President Pina Picierno urged the withdrawal and later celebrated the cancellation publicly.
  • The Russian Embassy in Italy issued a statement of support for Abdrazakov and condemned the factors that led to the cancellation.
  • Abdrazakov and his representatives have not commented, and this follows multiple cancellations across Europe and the United States since 2022.