Bieler tagblatt
By Annelise Alder
By Annelise Alder
A Plea for Peace
The Russian composer Andrei Maksimov has written an opera that opposes war. Tomorrow, Barabbas will premiere at the Biel Volkshaus.
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“Our mission is clear, we don’t want war.”
“Our mission is clear,” says Mira Alkhovik. “We don’t want war.” Andrei Maksimov, who, like Mira, comes from St. Petersburg, does not hold back his views on the events in Eastern Europe. Is he not afraid to share his stance publicly? “Shortly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, we released a video clip clearly opposing the war,” he says. The singer’s Facebook profile is adorned with the blue-and-yellow colors of the Ukrainian flag. And now, this: a full-length opera. Its title, Barabbas, refers to a biblical story. However, the entire production is actually a plea against the war in Eastern Europe.
My father showed that historical events repeat themselves. The parallels extend into the present
Mira Alkhovik
Director
Historical Events Repeat Themselves
The opera’s creation is closely tied to the biographies of the two students at the Swiss Opera Studio in Biel. Mira’s father once served as an officer in the Russian army. After leaving the military, he processed his experiences through literature. In his play Barabbas, author explores whether warring parties are even capable of reconciliation, especially when both sides are convinced of the righteousness of their cause. Themes like guilt and atonement, aggression and retribution, love and humanity are central to the piece. “My father showed that historical events repeat themselves. The parallels extend into the present,” says Mira Alkhovik.
The imprisoned Barabbas, according to biblical tradition, was to be executed but was freed at the last moment, while Jesus was crucified. “We examine the biblical story from various perspectives.” Barabbas regained his freedom thanks to Jesus, who serves in the play as a symbol of sacrifice. “We aim to tell the biblical story from the viewpoints of all parties involved and thereby foster mutual understanding,” says the singer. Depending on the perspective, events are perceived differently, which is as true today as it was back then.
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The Students take full responsibility for the production
Andrei Maksimov, Mira’s partner, initially composed Barabbas as a musical based on the original textbook. However, the planned performance in St. Petersburg was canceled due to COVID-19. Mira and Andrei later passed their entrance exams for the Swiss Opera Studio in Biel and settled in Switzerland. When Russia attacked Ukraine, the young Russian singer seized the unique opportunity offered by the Swiss Opera Studio: the chance to create and stage an original opera project. He reworked Barabbas into a full-length anti-war opera. The libretto was translated into English, and he assigned challenging roles to all his fellow students.
Andrei Maksimov’s project not only inspired his peers at the Biel Opera Studio but also garnered the interest of the Russian conductor Igor Andreev residing in Switzerland. The accompanying instrumental ensemble, consisting of about a dozen students, also includes young Russian musicians who fully support the project. They have taken on various responsibilities, from costumes to publicity, even creating an attractive website with all the relevant information about the production. Barabbas is entirely managed by the students themselves.
Andrei Maksimov’s project not only inspired his peers at the Biel Opera Studio but also garnered the interest of the Russian conductor Igor Andreev residing in Switzerland. The accompanying instrumental ensemble, consisting of about a dozen students, also includes young Russian musicians who fully support the project. They have taken on various responsibilities, from costumes to publicity, even creating an attractive website with all the relevant information about the production. Barabbas is entirely managed by the students themselves.
We aim to tell the biblical story from the viewpoints of all parties involved and thereby foster mutual understanding
Andrei Maksimov
Composer
Neoromantic Music with a Touch of Pop and Jazz
“It is relatively new in our curriculum and internationally unique for students at the Swiss Opera Studio to have to realize their own projects,” says Mathias Behrends, program director. He has only occasionally attended rehearsals for Barabbas. “From the concept to the execution, they have done everything themselves,” he says with pride. He is particularly impressed that the young Russian baritone managed to engage all his fellow singers for the project.
“It is relatively new in our curriculum and internationally unique for students at the Swiss Opera Studio to have to realize their own projects,” says Mathias Behrends, program director. He has only occasionally attended rehearsals for Barabbas. “From the concept to the execution, they have done everything themselves,” he says with pride. He is particularly impressed that the young Russian baritone managed to engage all his fellow singers for the project.
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“Opera Must Address Current Issues”
“Opera must address the current questions of the time,” says Mathias Behrends. Mira Alkhovik, who is responsible for the stage direction of Barabbas, has ensured a modern interpretation of the material. At the beginning, the stage is divided into two halves, representing two irreconcilable parties. Propaganda films from both sides are shown on screens flanking the stage, a clear allusion to the current situation in Eastern Europe. On stage, young people dressed in everyday clothing appear. They all want one thing: peaceful coexistence. “There’s no happy ending. But we want to give hope and show that existing problems can be solved.”
