For the first time since February, when Russia began its large-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Opera House in the capital reopened its gates.
Some of the regular ensemble and other employees have joined the armed forces and others are abroad. But enough are left in Kyiv to perform Gioacchino Rossini’s “The Barber of Seville”.
– It felt in the morning like I was going to sing at a premiere, even though I have been singing this role for several years. It feels like I’m coming out on this stage – which I know so well – for the first time, says soprano Olha Fomitjova to The Guardian.
However, not everything is as usual, the newspaper reports. Performances will only be held on weekend afternoons, a maximum of 300 tickets will be sold and the audience must be prepared to quickly go down to the basement if the bomb alarm sounds.