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…...