Metropolitan Opera Premieres First Opera About Russia's War on Ukraine

Barbara Wysocka directs the premiere of the first opera addressing Russia's war on Ukraine, staged with a split set: a bunker beneath and projected war imagery above, designed by Wysocka and Artur Sienicki. The Metropolitan Opera has sustained its backing of Ukraine since the February 2022 invasion, when orchestras and opera houses worldwide played the Ukrainian national anthem in solidarity before most moved on as the conflict dragged on and other crises emerged. General manager Peter Gelb, speaking from the stage before a recent "Macbeth" performance, called the invasion "brutal and illegal" and said Ukraine needs the world's support "more than ever," then asked the audience to stand for the anthem. The Met helped establish the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra, led by conductor Keri-Lynn Wilson, Gelb's wife, whose Ukrainian heritage comes through her maternal great-grandparents; the ensemble closes concerts with the anthem and the cry "Slava Ukraini!" Gelb also cut soprano Anna Netrebko over her ties to Russian President Vladimir V. Putin, and has said he regards her statements as dishonest, apparently with no plan to rehire her. Her manager, Miguel Esteban, rejected that characterization, calling Gelb "completely wrong in my view" and insisting Netrebko has been consistent and honest, her actions speaking "more than someone baselessly claiming that she is dishonest."