Pro-Putin pianist's Venice concert cancelled

(ANSA) - ROME, DEC 28 - A Ukrainian pianist who has taken stances in support of Russian President Vladimir Putin has seen a scheduled concert at Venice's storied La Fenice opera house cancelled by organizers after news of her positions emerged.
    The pianist, Valentina Lisitsa, recently played for Russian troops in the then occupied Ukrainian city of Mariupol, one of the scenes of alleged Russian war crimes.
    "Music an culture must unite peoples and not divide them," said the president of Venice's Musikamera musical association, Sonia Finzi, stressing to ANSA that her organization has always been impartial.
    La Fenice itself, which was only loaning the concert space, was not involved in the decision. (ANSA).