Performances cancelled in solidarity with Ukraine

Blackwater Valley Opera Festival has joined a host of organisations and venues to take a stand with Ukraine in condemning the invasion of the country by Russia.

On Wednesday, Blackwater Valley Opera Festival (BVOF) issued a statement announcing the cancellation of the Bolshoi Theatre Young

Artists Recital. The recital was scheduled to take place on Sunday, June 5 at Dromore Yard as part of the 2022 festival.

“Blackwater Valley Opera Festival sincerely regrets that this decision impacts young artists from Russia and CIS countries – who are in our thoughts and long-term friends of the festival. We acknowledge that the head of the Bolshoi Theatre, Vladimir Urin has, along with others, signed an open anti-war protest.

“However we must condemn the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, and stand together in solidarity with the Ukrainian people to support a cultural boycott of Russia at this time,” a statement from BVOF read.

The statement went on to apologise to patrons for any disappointment at the cancellation.

All patrons who have bought tickets for the recital, the statement noted, will be contacted in the coming days, to avail of a refund or to transfer bookings to another festival event.

SWAN LAKE FALLS VICTIM

In Waterford, the Theatre Royal this week issued a statement to notify patrons that the Royal Moscow Ballet’s scheduled performances of Swan Lake on Sunday would not go ahead.

“The decision to cancel the performances was taken by the management and Board of Theatre Royal as a gesture of solidarity with the people of Ukraine at this awful time.

“This decision was not taken lightly. We deeply regret the impact it will have on the artists who were due to dance on our stage on Sunday and the crew who support them,” the statement read.

OPERA HOUSE CANCELLATION

Last week, Cork Opera House also cancelled scheduled performances of Swan Lake by the Royal Moscow Ballet in an effort to ‘stand together in solidarity’ with the people of Ukraine.

“The Board of Cork Opera House deeply regret that this decision impacts artists, namely the dancers of this company who hail from all over the world and who have worked hard to make a beautiful show for Irish audiences. We are also aware of the impact of this decision on the promotor who is a longstanding and trusted colleague.

“However, we must stand together in solidarity with the people of Ukraine at this terrible time,” the statement read.