The Metropolitan Opera in New York opened its latest production run of Puccini’s Turandot on 30 April 2022 with Ukrainian soprano, Liudmyla Monastyrska, taking over the title role from the Russian soprano, Anna Netrebko.
Monastyrska, 46, has appeared at the Met a handful of times since her debut in 2012, and has become a mainstay in opera houses across Europe, gracing the stages of London’s Royal Opera House, La Scala in Milan, and the Vienna, Bavarian, and Berlin State Operas, among others.
However, the spinto soprano wasn’t originally meant to be covering the titular role for the 2022 production. Russian soprano, Anna Netrebko was booked to sing Puccini’s iconic Princess, but was dropped by the New York opera house over her past ties to Russian President, Vladimir Putin.
During the curtain call of Saturday’s opening night, Monastyrska returned to stage with a Ukrainian flag draped over her costume. The emotional act was met with cheers and applause from the audience.
