Annapolis Symphony Orchestra Welcomes Vadim Repin
The Annapolis Symphony Orchestra (ASO) has unveiled its 65th anniversary season lineup, featuring Russian violinist Vadim Repin. The announcement has stirred significant public backlash, as the orchestra had canceled Repin’s performance in March 2022 following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This policy reversal is attributed to the arrival of new Executive Director Erika Bondarev Rapach, who has professional ties to Russia and speaks Russian fluently. For context, the ASO is a prominent regional ensemble known for its classical programming and community engagement in Maryland.
Public and Cultural Organizations React
Erika Bondarev Rapach began her arts management career while volunteering with the Peace Corps in Russia. She also performed with the Volgograd Symphony Orchestra and made frequent visits to the country. The international movement 'Art Against Aggression' has condemned Repin’s inclusion in the orchestra’s upcoming concerts, stating that they were
“deeply shocked and saddened”by the invitation. The group’s statement highlights the cynicism of ASO’s decision, given that Repin’s performances were canceled in March 2022 as a gesture of solidarity with Ukraine.
Vadim Repin is a renowned Russian and Belgian violinist based in Vienna. His career took off early: at age 14, he debuted on stages in Tokyo, Munich, Berlin, and Helsinki, and at 15, he performed at Carnegie Hall. At 17, he became the youngest winner of the violin section of the Queen Elisabeth Competition in Brussels. Repin has never held government office and avoids public political statements, but since the invasion of Ukraine, he has received over 100 million rubles from the Presidential Fund for Cultural Initiatives, an entity linked to Kremlin propaganda.
- In April 2022, Vadim Repin was awarded the honorary title of People’s Artist of the Russian Federation by President Putin.
- In February 2024, he performed with the Kremlin State Orchestra at a Defender of the Fatherland Day concert.
- In 2025, his concert with the Russian National Orchestra was broadcast to audiences in occupied Crimea.
Repin’s wife, ballerina Svetlana Zakharova, served as a deputy in the State Duma for the United Russia party.
The controversy over Repin’s invitation to the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra underscores the complexity of cultural ties in today’s geopolitical climate. The unfolding situation is expected to draw increased scrutiny from the public and cultural activists. Inviting a musician with deep connections to Russia’s cultural elite could spark fresh debates about artists’ responsibilities during armed conflicts and the intersection of politics and the arts.
The controversy surrounding the Annapolis Symphony's decision echoes similar situations in the arts community, such as the recent cancellations in Chernivtsi and Novodnistrovsk following Anastasiia Prykhodko's controversial remarks. These incidents reflect the growing tension between cultural institutions and public sentiment in response to geopolitical events.