Earlier this evening, Anna Netrebko's title performance in the Metropolitan Opera's brand spankin' new production of Tchaikovsky's Iolanta was interrupted at the very bitter end by a man Classicalite has identified as one Roman J. Torgovitsky--founder/CEO of Wounded Warrior Ukraine.
According to Michael Cooper at the New York Times, an unnamed protestor unfurled a homemade sign, "which appeared to be decorated with the Ukrainian flag, just as Ms. Netrebko was being showered with bravas and a bouquet of flowers."
Just like the geopolitical affairs he used to cover for the ol' Grey Lady, Mr. Cooper, himself, stuck around to cover the aftermath, as well.
Post opera, demonstrators still outside, now in snow, crying "Shame on the Met, Shame on Netrebko, Shame on Gergiev" pic.twitter.com/Ul3sqtKXT6
— Michael Cooper (@coopnytimes) January 30, 2015
Of course, as all you Classicalites can duly see in this cell phone footage hastily uploaded to YouTube just a few scant hours ago, Torgovitsky proudly displays his crudely anti-Putin poster to both booing audience and baffled performers alike.
Peter Gelb's own security forces said that Torgovitsky had been arrested, but as he's clearly a pro at this kind of thing, we doubt it'll phase Mr. T. at all.
You'll recall, Lady Netrebko's most recent scrutiny in these matters of state and song (cf. an earlier donation to that Ukranian opera house in Donetsk).
With the same ears as Latvian violinist Gidon Kremer, we, too, can't help but hear those one million rubles--ca. $18,500--as a tacit (tacet?) ode to separatist politician Oleg Trasrov.
So, while her indefatigably pro-Vlad, pro-Alberto Vilar crony Valery Gergiev and his Mariinsky have had to suffer haters from Fort Greene, Brooklyn all the way to Ann Arbor, Michigan, Netrebko gets to boast about the best in situ show of disdain at Lincoln Center since that GOP igit who sorta kinda threatened Leon Klinghoffer.
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