Opera house in east Ukraine’s separatist stronghold battles against odds, keeps spirits alive

DONETSK, Ukraine – Death and drama play out on the streets in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk almost daily.

Inside the city’s opera house, the strains of Peter Tchaikovsky’s tragic masterpiece Eugene Onegin briefly drown out the boom of artillery fire.

For the few dozen spectators that turn up, the weekly performances serve as a respite from the war raging outside between Russian-backed separatists and Ukrainian government forces.

The players with the Donetsk Opera and Ballet Theater are still in disbelief at what is happening around them.

Artyom Yaroshevich, who played the title role on Saturday, said keeping the rebel-held city’s theatre going has been tough without outside help.

“But you know, without work and singing, it would be the end,” he said.