Anna Netrebko / Photo: AP Russian Diva Netrebko Becomes Austrian Citizen
02.08.2006
MosNews Russian diva Anna Netrebko officially became an Austrian citizen in Salzburg, a few days after giving a glorious performance at the city’s famous Music Festival, Agence France-Presse reported Tuesday.
The Austrian council of ministers decided last week to give the 34-year-old soprano Austrian citizenship without requiring her to pass a test like most people, because of her “particular merits.”
The brunette opera singer will also be allowed to retain her Russian citizenship, unlike other foreigners who must renounce their former nationality when they become Austrian.
Netrebko is a real pop star in Austria, a country where classical music is ever-present, even in the pages of tabloid newspapers.
In Salzburg, she made her mark in a television version of Mozart’s “The Marriage of Figaro,” a year after performing with Mexican tenor Rolando Villazon in a glamorous production of Verdi’s “La Traviata.” Alongside Villazon and Spain’s tenor extraordinaire Placido Domingo, she also sang before thousands of football fans before this year’s World Cup final in Berlin.
At a ceremony Tuesday with the governor of Salzburg province Gabi Burgstaller and Festival director Peter Ruzicka, theatre director Otto Schenk praised Netrebko’s voice, acting and personality.
The Russian star follows in the footsteps of musical greats like Ludwig van Beethoven and Johannes Brahms, both German composers who later became Austrian, Schenk added.
“I am very happy, and I hope I will be a good Austrian,” Netrebko said.
Following attacks in the Russian press calling her a defector and traitor earlier this year, the international opera star said she wanted an Austrian passport to be able to travel more easily.
Born in 1971 in Krasnodar to an engineer mother and geologist father, Netrebko studied at the Saint Petersburg Conservatory. http://www.mosnews.com/news/2006/08/02/netrebko.shtml
Acknowledgement: All available information and documents in "Justice For North Caucasus Group" is provided for the "fair use". There should be no intention for ill-usage of any sort of any published item for commercial purposes and in any way or form. JFNC is a nonprofit group and has no intentions for the distribution of information for commercial or advantageous gain. At the same time consideration is ascertained that all different visions, beliefs, presentations and opinions will be presented to visitors and readers of all message boards of this site. Providing, furnishing, posting and publishing the information of all sources is considered a right to freedom of opinion, speech, expression, and information while at the same time does not necessarily reflect, represent, constitute, or comprise the stand or the opinion of this group. If you have any concerns contact us directly at:
eagle@JusticeForNorthCaucasus.com
