Netrebko's Defamation Suit Against Met Opera Dismissed Again
For the second time, a federal judge has thrown out Anna Netrebko's defamation lawsuit against the Metropolitan Opera and its general manager, Peter Gelb. U.S. District Judge Annalisa Torres determined that Netrebko failed to demonstrate that Gelb acted with actual malice. She noted that there was no indication Gelb's comments in 2024 and 2025 were retaliatory, as he had previously made critical remarks before the lawsuit was filed. Torres has permitted Netrebko to request permission to revise her supplemental complaint, which was initially dismissed in 2024. Meanwhile, her gender discrimination case against the Met continues, with Torres highlighting that male singers linked to Putin received more favorable treatment. The Met severed ties with Netrebko in 2022 due to her connections to Putin.
Key facts
- Judge Annalisa Torres dismissed Anna Netrebko's defamation complaint against the Metropolitan Opera and Peter Gelb for the second time.
- Netrebko failed to prove that Gelb acted with actual malice in his allegedly defamatory statements.
- The judge found no evidence that Gelb's 2024 and 2025 remarks were retaliatory, noting he had made critical statements before the lawsuit.
- Netrebko may seek leave to amend her supplemental complaint.
- The original defamation claims were dismissed in 2024.
- Netrebko's lawyer Julie Ulmet filed a revised supplemental complaint in 2025.
- The supplemental complaint alleged retaliation and public dissuasion of other opera companies from employing Netrebko.
- Netrebko's gender discrimination lawsuit against the Met is moving forward.
- The judge cited examples of male Putin-connected opera singers treated more favorably, including Ildar Abdrazakov, Evgeny Nikitin, Igor Golovatenko, and Alexey Markov.
Entities
Artists
- Anna Netrebko
- Ildar Abdrazakov
- Evgeny Nikitin
- Igor Golovatenko
- Alexey Markov
Institutions
- Metropolitan Opera
- OperaWire
- Kremlin
Locations
- United States
- Ukraine
- Russia