The Metropolitan Opera announces its commissioning of a new opera that aims to shed light on Russia’s abduction and deportation of thousands of Ukrainian children, solidifying the company’s unwavering support for war-torn Ukraine. This powerful work is a collaborative effort between the accomplished Ukrainian composer Maxim Kolomiiets and the renowned American playwright George Brant.
Inspired by the heartbreaking accounts of mothers whose children were forcibly taken during the conflict, this opera tells the poignant tale of a mother embarking on a perilous journey to rescue her daughter, who is held captive within a camp in Crimea. Although the characters within the opera are fictional, the narrative draws from the real-life experiences of Ukrainian mothers who endured a harrowing 3,000-mile trek from Ukraine into Russian-occupied territory and back, all in their quest to reunite with their abducted children.
Peter Gelb, the MET’s general manager, expressed that the opera’s primary objective is to “support Ukraine culturally in its fight for freedom.” He believes that this opera offers a unique platform to document a facet of the war that highlights the indomitable spirit and heroism of the Ukrainian people amidst dire and horrendous circumstances.
Maxim Kolomiiets studied with Alla Zagaykevich, together with composers such as Maxim Shalygin and Svyatoslav Lunyov, all published by Donemus. Kolomiiets is a prolific composer and oboist with an impressive portfolio of operas, orchestral, chamber, and solo works; he spoke of his sense of responsibility to create a dignified portrayal of his homeland. Kolomiiets explained, “The objective is not only to draw attention to Ukraine but also to shed light on similar situations worldwide where mothers endure immense suffering while trying to protect their children. I want people to empathize with this pain and use any opportunity they have, at various levels, to prevent this kind of pain from happening.”
While the creation and staging of new operas are time-intensive endeavors, the MET plans to have this Ukrainian opera grace its stage by 2027 or 2028. This initiative is the latest manifestation of the MET’s solidarity with Kyiv. The MET has played a pivotal role in establishing the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra, comprising both refugee and resident artists, which has embarked on two international tours. The company has also organized concerts in support of Ukraine and adorned the theater’s exterior with banners forming the Ukrainian flag.
The idea for commissioning an opera by a Ukrainian composer was born during a meeting last year between Peter Gelb, Metropolitan Opera’s general manager, and Ukraine’s first lady, Olena Zelenska, with the presence of the Canadian Ukrainian conductor Keri-Lynn Wilson, who leads the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra. Ukrainian cultural authorities spread the word about the opportunity and received a staggering 72 applications from composers, all carefully vetted by the MET.
Maxim Kolomiiets was selected for this project due to his extensive experience in opera and his profound understanding of Ukrainian musical traditions. Olena Zelenska praised the initiative, stating that “the world should hear about the pain of Ukrainian mothers.”
Kolomiiets, who has been residing in Germany since last year, anticipates that his score will be characterized as “gentle, naive, emotional, and even dramatic.” He envisions a peaceful and prosperous Ukraine, and as he emphasized, “The story has a happy ending, and it’s really important for us to have a happy ending right now.”
Composers in the crosshairs of our attention