As performing artists denounce or stay allied with Putin, history offers some lessons
While Russian artists and institutions grapple with how they are viewed internationally, American cultural organizations make what amounts to foreign policy decisions.
Russia reveres its high-arts heritage of classical music and ballet. But Western European and American arts organizations are canceling appearances by performers who have financial or personal ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, including some of Russia's biggest stars. At the same time, some Russian and Russian-born artists have spoken out against the invasion of Ukraine.
Each individual and institution is trying to figure out what to do at this juncture — essentially, creating their own foreign policies more or less on the fly.
One American cultural institution that has cut ties with musicians aligned with Putin is New York's famed Metropolitan Opera. In a video message Sunday, the opera company's general manager, Peter Gelb,
