Vienna - Russian opera star Anna Netrebko is pregnant, she was quoted as saying in an Austrian media report Monday. According to the Austrian weekly News the 36-year-old soprano and her partner, Uruguay-born baritone Erwin Schrott, 35, are expecting their first child in autumn.
"We are both very happy that we will be three soon," Netrebko was quoted as saying by News. Her spokesman was not available for comment at the time of writing.
Netrebko and Schrott had performed together several times since 2003, but their relationship and subsequent engagement only became public in late 2007.
The singer said she would consult with her doctors to try and keep up her work schedule to the greatest extent possible. Netrebko currently shoots in Vienna a movie version of Puccini's La Boheme with stage partner Roberto Villazon.
Netrebko's web page lists a schedule for the months until August, including performances at the Vienna State Opera, the Salzburg Festival and her debut at the Opera national de Paris.
Helga Rabl-Stadler, head of the Salzburg Festival, said that Netrebko cancelled her performance in Salzburg, where she was scheduled to sing the Juliette in Gounod's Romeo et Juliette.
"We are surprised, but we understand her happiness. The best reason for cancellation is a child," Rabl-Stadler was quoted as saying by local media.
