The general manager of the Metropolitan Opera, Peter Gelb, has reiterated his attack on the soprano Anna Netrabko as an emblem of the Putin regime and it invasion of Ukraine.

Netrebko, 53, is due to sing Tosca in London next month.

Gelb told the Daily Telegraph: 'My position regarding Ms Netrebko has been consistent from the start of the invasion because of her close ties to Putin and her support of him. With autocracy on the rise, democracy under its greatest threat since World War Two, and Russia's ongoing effort to annihilate Ukraine, I believe that cultural leaders must stand by their decisions in support of a free and democratic world.'

He continued: 'It's noteworthy that while Ms Netrebko is scheduled to be rehearsing for her September opening, the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra will be performing (in London) for the liberty of Ukraine at Cadogan Hall on August 29 - alternative programming for freedom-loving classical music fans.'

The Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra is conducted by Gelb's wife, Keri-Lynn Wilson.