Ukrainian director terminated contract in Israel due to Russians appearing in project: "We are losing contracts, money and the opportunity to work, but we are not losing our dignity and are not betraying our own values"

In the world of art, situations often arise where personal beliefs and principles of artists come into conflict with professional obligations.
Ukrainian theatrical director, teacher, and People's Artist of Ukraine Yevhen LAVRENCHUK announced that he terminated his contract to direct Handel's opera "Rinaldo" in Israel.
Yevhen LAVRENCHUK, a well-known theatrical director and teacher, announced on April 28, 2025, on his Facebook that he terminated his contract with Jerusalem Lyric Opera & Festival. The contract was signed earlier, and the premieres of the opera "Rinaldo" were scheduled for July 2025 in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
LAVRENCHUK's main condition was the absence of representatives from the Russian Federation among the performers.
He wrote about this on his Facebook page.
"The only condition was the absence of Russian representatives among the performers. I managed to bring to the production the wonderful Ukrainian countertenor Vladyslav Shkarupilo, who now lives and works in Stuttgart.
I was preparing for the production daily for several months. We, along with the conductor, selected performers from all over the world.
Suddenly - surprise. The organizers insisted on including two performers whose Facebook profiles listed Moscow addresses.
On my protest notes about the breach of agreements, the organizers tried to assure me that these performers have Israeli passports, and what is written in their Facebook profiles has no legal force and cannot be the basis for any claims.
My position was this: they may have Israeli passports, but publicly they identify as representatives of an aggressor country.
I found no way to continue working with them and initiated the termination of the contract.
Countertenor Vladyslav Shkarupilo did the same, and I bow to him in respect.
Recently, I learned that the organizers invited Russian director Daniil Dmitriev to the production.
I do not regret it. Maybe we lose contracts, money, and work opportunities, but we do not lose dignity and do not change our values.
I remind my Ukrainian colleagues from the opera world: let us be careful, responsible!" – said the director.
In response to the breach of agreements, the organizers said that these artists have Israeli passports, and "information on Facebook has no legal force".
According to LAVRENCHUK, he found no opportunity to continue the collaboration and initiated the termination of the contract. Countertenor Vladyslav Shkarupilo did the same.
"I do not regret it. Maybe we lose contracts, money, and work opportunities, but we do not lose dignity and do not change our values", - summed up the director.
Yevhen LAVRENCHUK: Biography and Career Path
Yevhen Viktorovych LAVRENCHUK (born June 24, 1982, Lviv) – Ukrainian theatrical director, teacher.
People's Artist of Ukraine (2021). Senior lecturer at the Department of Acting and Directing at Kharkiv National University of Arts named after Ivan Kotlyarevsky (since 2023). Chief Director of the Odessa National Academic Opera and Ballet Theater (2018–2021).
Rector of the “First Ukrainian School of Theater and Cinema” (2018), founder and chairman of the expert council of the All-Ukrainian Opera Forum.
He has directed more than 30 performances. Winner of international competitions and festivals in Europe. He conducts performances and also actively teaches in Ukraine, Poland, Germany, Lithuania, and Israel.
Author of the methodology for teaching acting and directing.
Productions in Israel
LAVRENCHUK not only actively works in Ukraine but also staged productions in Israel. In 2015, his opera **"Judah and His Brothers"** based on the 1st Book of the Maccabees was performed at the **Eichal Tarbut Theater** in Netanya.
In 2016, he was awarded the title of **"Outstanding Cultural Figure of the State of Israel"** — recognition of his professionalism and contribution to Israeli cultural life.
LAVRENCHUK also actively collaborated with Israeli theaters, but his recent steps in terminating his contract with **Jerusalem Lyric Opera & Festival** highlight how political issues can influence cultural cooperation.
The Situation with Russian Performers: What Does It Mean for Israeli-Ukrainian Relations?
Yevhen LAVRENCHUK's decision to terminate his contract due to the presence of Russians in the project in Israel raises an important question about the integration of cultural and political issues in theatrical art. Amid the ongoing **Russian aggression** against Ukraine, many Ukrainians and representatives of the Ukrainian diaspora, including Jews in Israel, may view such actions as an act of courage and preservation of dignity. Israel, as a country supporting democratic values, finds itself in a complicated situation where cultural exchanges can influence political decisions.
Interesting Facts about "Rinaldo"
"Rinaldo" is one of the most famous operas by **Handel**, written in 1711. The work is inspired by historical events from the Crusades and tells the story of a knight who rescues his beloved. In Israel, the opera will be performed with world-class stars, and it has drawn the attention of many classical music enthusiasts.
Table 1: Performance Dates and Ticket Prices
https://nikk.kassa.co.il/announce/82027
 
City
Date
Venue
Number of Tickets
Price (₪)
Tel Aviv
21.07.2025
Tel Aviv Museum
271
140-150
Jerusalem
22.07.2025
Gehal a-Tarbut Beit a-am
206
100-120
Conclusion
This case serves as a reminder of how culture can act as a barometer for political and social conflicts. The relationship between Israel and Ukraine, as described in **NAnews**, remains an important topic for both politicians and creative people, especially in the light of Ukraine's fight for independence.
It is important to note that even in the most difficult situations, such as rejecting contracts and losing financial opportunities, the most important things are **dignity** and **steadfastness in one’s values**. This action by director LAVRENCHUK is a vivid example of how one can remain true to their principles despite external circumstances. https://nikk.agency/en/ukrainian-director/