Putin’s Ally, Not Don Juan

On January 18, 21, 23, and 25, 2026, Teatro Filarmonico in Verona will stage Don Giovanni, with Ildar Abdrazakov in the lead role. We demand that Abdrazakov be removed from the cast because of his public support for Vladimir Putin, who started the war against Ukraine.

Victory!

The performance of Putin’s accomplice and confidant, Ildar Abdrazakov, has been canceled! Together, we ensured that there is no longer any place for a Putin propagandist on the Italian stage.

Ildar Abdrazakov: Who He Is and Why It Matters

• A vocal supporter of Vladimir Putin and his official representative in the 2024 Russian presidential election.
• Head of the Sevastopol State Opera and Ballet Theatre in Russian-occupied Crimea, helping to normalize the annexation of Ukrainian territory.
• Close to Putin and a member of the newly created Presidential Council for Culture. Performs at major propaganda events organized by the Russian authorities.
• Regularly receives state awards and personal praise from Putin, and is used by the regime as a symbol of “cultural support.”

“Culture Above Politics”?

Many still try to ignore the fact that some “cultural figures” openly support Putin. But let’s be honest: Ildar Abdrazakov holds his positions only because of his unquestioning loyalty to the Kremlin. He directly benefits from Putin’s machine of war and repression. Through his actions, he helps justify and sustain Russia’s aggression against Ukraine.

We demand that Ildar Abdrazakov be removed from the cast of Don Giovanni in January 2026, replaced by another performer, and never invited to perform in Europe again.

We also urge Italian cultural institutions to carefully vet invited artists for public support of the war or involvement in institutions that legitimize Vladimir Putin’s criminal regime.

Why Now

Verona plans to open its “Mozart January” season with Don Giovanni starring Abdrazakov—an attempt by Putin’s ally to return to the European stage.

This is an important comeback for him: in 2024, he was dismissed from Teatro di San Carlo, and all his European performances were canceled. Yet he continues to pursue opportunities in Europe.

Notably, he owns a villa on the Ligurian coast in Italy.

We’ve already proven that public pressure works: thanks to a campaign by the Anti-Corruption Foundation and Italian activists, Valery Gergiev’s concert in Italy was canceled. 

We are determined to achieve the same result again.

How To Help

1. Subscribe to campaign updates — receive all news and updates about the campaign and FBK’s work.

2. Spread the word on social media — use our campaign visuals and materials.

In English:

In Italian:

Contact Teatro Filarmonico directly — tag their accounts on Instagram, Facebook

3. If you are a journalist, we encourage you to reach out to Fondazione Arena di Verona management about Abdrazakov’s participation:

• Superintendent Cecilia Gasdia: sovrintendenza@arenadiverona.it

• Artistic Director Cecilia Gasdia: direzione.artistica@arenadiverona.it. Or via their social media accounts: Instagram, Facebook.

For questions or comments about our campaign, contact us at: info@acf.international

Facts and Sources

• Schedule of Don Giovanni (Verona, January 2026) with Abdrazakov in the lead role.
• Abdrazakov joined Putin’s Presidential Council for Culture.
• Abdrazakov became head of the Sevastopol State Opera and Ballet Theatre — listed as artistic director on the theatre’s official website.
• Photo of Abdrazakov among Putin’s authorized representatives during the 2024 election.
• Statement by Abdrazakov regarding the cancellation of his previous performances in Europe.
• Ildar Abrazakov about why he became an authorized representative of Putin 

Publicly supported the campaign

Pina Picierno

Vice-President of the European Parliament

Carlo Calenda

Leader of the Italian party Azione

Opern News

Professional media outlet covering opera

November 6, 2025

We succeeded in canceling Ildar Abdrazakov’s performance in Italy.

Putin’s accomplice and trusted representative, Ildar Abdrazakov, will not perform at Italy’s Fondazione Arena di Verona this January — he has been removed from the cast, just as we demanded.

Thank you to everyone who supported our campaign!

November 6, 2025

Carlo Calenda, leader of the Italian party Azione, has voiced support for the campaign against Ildar Abdrazakov’s performance. He said he plans to raise the issue at all official levels and called for an end to the appearance of “Putin’s puppets” in Italy.

November 6, 2025

European Parliament Vice President Pina Picierno has backed the campaign against Ildar Abdrazakov’s performance. She stated that the singer’s participation in the Arena di Verona program does not align with the values of the European Union and called for the concert to be cancelled.

Pina Picierno

November 6, 2025

The campaign against Ildar Abdrazakov’s performance received media support from two specialized online outlets that cover opera professionally:  Opera Wire and Opern News

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