Russian opera singer Eldor Abdurazzoqov was scheduled to perform in Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's opera “Don Giovanni” on the stage of the Philharmonic Theatre in Verona, Italy. This was reported by Zamin.uz.
However, the theatre administration announced that he would not participate in the performances scheduled for January 2026. According to information on the theatre’s official website, Abdurazzoqov was supposed to play the lead role of Don Giovanni in this opera.
Nevertheless, the reasons for the decision were not disclosed, and no information has yet been provided about who will replace him. European political circles interpret this event in a political context.
Vice-President of the European Parliament Pina Picierno called this decision a “victory over Kremlin propaganda.” She expressed gratitude on her social media page to the organizations and individuals who supported the decision.
Additionally, the Liberi Oltre le Illusioni organization emphasized that Abdurazzoqov participated as a trusted figure of Vladimir Putin in the Russian presidential elections and is a member of the Presidential Council for Culture. The Anti-Corruption Foundation (FBK) also launched a campaign against Abdurazzoqov’s appearances in Europe.
They stated that the singer owns luxurious real estate in Europe and supports Kremlin policies. The organization called on European countries not to cooperate with such individuals.
This is not the first time Abdurazzoqov’s foreign performances have been canceled. In 2023, he was deprived of opportunities to work with major cultural institutions such as the Metropolitan Opera in New York, La Scala in Milan, and several others.
In 2024, the San Carlo Theatre in Naples removed him from a planned project. Experts believe that cultural institutions in Europe are hardening their political stance towards individuals and organizations connected to Russia.
Since the war in Ukraine began, such “cultural isolation” has also had a significant impact on the arts sector. The cancellation of Eldor Abdurazzoqov’s participation in this project demonstrates the increasingly blurred line between politics and art.
