Opera 'Alceste in Kyiv'
Swiss filmmaker and theater director Milo Rau is set to present the opera 'Alceste in Kyiv' in collaboration with Opera Aperta and the Veterans' Theater. This unique production will include performances by two Ukrainian war veterans, Taras Kozub and Yehor Babenko. Originally composed in the 18th century by Austrian Christoph Willibald Gluck, the opera has been reinterpreted through the lens of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Ukrainian soldier and director Olena Apchel contributed texts that form the foundation of this adaptation.
Premiere Details and Participants
The premiere is scheduled for May 18 in Vienna as part of the Vienna Festival. The opera will be performed in French, with German and English subtitles provided. Before the full-scale invasion, Taras Kozub crafted musical instruments; since joining the Ukrainian armed forces, he will play the lyre alongside the orchestra. Yehor Babenko, a military psychologist, sustained serious injuries in 2022 during the war.
Born in Bern in 1977, Milo Rau has an extensive body of work, including over 100 plays, films, books, and theatrical productions. His projects have been showcased at prestigious events such as Berlin Theatertreffen, the Avignon Festival, and the Venice Biennale. Rau connected with the veterans during a previous visit to Kyiv, where he attended a rehearsal of the Veterans' Theater. The opera’s dramatic text is shaped by librettist Nikolaus Stenitzer and the Opera Aperta team, who also handle the performance and musical elements.
“With Opera Aperta, we’re developing the performance and composition. Historically, early operas included interludes to entertain the audience; we aim to replace those with music that carries real meaning,” Rau explained.
'Alceste in Kyiv' is a joint production of the Vienna Festival and Stuttgart Opera. The project is part of broader cultural efforts, including the Puppet Theater Festival in Lviv from November 17 to 19, 2026, and the inauguration of the Theater of Resilience 'The Unbroken' in Lviv’s Zamarstyniv Park. The theater’s debut production was 'To the Light and Back,' a play by Russian-Ukrainian war veteran Andriy Hryhoriev.
This interpretation of 'Alceste' not only revives a classical masterpiece but also infuses it with contemporary relevance, reflecting themes of war and human compassion. The production highlights the vital role cultural initiatives play during times of crisis, demonstrating how art can serve as a powerful platform for expressing the experiences of those affected by conflict. Projects like this also contribute to the cultural revival in Ukraine and resonate internationally.