Anna Netrebko is set to return to the Austrian stage for the first time since the War in Ukraine broke out.

The soprano will perform in a benefit concert, “Austria for Life” in the courtyard of the Schönbrunn Palace on Sept. 10.

She will perform “O Himmel, welch’ Entzücken” from a Beethoven cantata and Netrebko said, “what could be nicer than singing Beethoven’s wonderful music for the first time in my career in my second home in front of one of the city’s landmarks, Schönbrunn Palace.”

The soprano added that she wants to “set a sign of solidarity for the weakest in our society.”

According to Der Standard, “The aim of the event is to collect donations for initiatives of the ‘Austria helps Austria’ project, which primarily supports disadvantaged families, children and young people.”

The benefit event is organized by Life Ball creator Gery Keszler and added that “the concert aims to raise funds for families, children and young people who are most severely feeling the impact of two years of the pandemic, inflation and the war in Europe.”

The concert, which will also include other artists of other genres, will be broadcast on ORF1 and is sponsored by Caritas, Diakonie, Hilfswerk, Red Cross, Samaritans, and Volkshilfe. 

The concert marks the first benefit the soprano gives since she was criticized for her ties to Putin and was forced to cut ties with the Metropolitan Opera, among other organizations. Netrebko has since returned to the operatic stage performing in Paris, Verona, and Milan. Netrebko has previously attended the Life Ball, the biggest charity event in Europe supporting people with HIV or AIDS, and performed at the Red Ribbon Celebration Concert in 2013 and 2016.