An Italian opera house has cancelled performances by a Russian singer seen as close to President Vladimir Putin, in a move welcomed by the Italian government.

Axar.az informs, citing Reuters, Russian bass Ildar Abdrazakov was due to star in Mozart’s opera “Don Giovanni” at the Verona Philharmonic Theatre from January 18-25.

The Anti-Corruption Foundation, founded by the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, had called for his exclusion this week because of his public support for Putin.

The Arena di Verona Foundation, which runs the theatre, responded on Thursday announcing Abdrazakov would not be appearing, with a short statement on its website that did not give any reason.

Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli backed the move, saying that Russian art and culture were welcome “when they serve as a vehicle for dialogue and peace between peoples.”

But they were not welcome, he said, “when they become a propaganda tool serving a despotic power that cannot and must not have citizenship rights in the free world.”