The tenor explained his decision on Facebook, writing: “I am not a politician and I have no influence on political decisions. But I am an artist and I can use my voice to express my opposition to the war that takes place just across the border of my beloved motherland."
Beczała added: "I regretfully decided to cancel my concert with the Russian National Youth Symphony Orchestra in Moscow. I know a lot of my Russian fans have been looking forward to this concert, but it is the only right decision in view of the current events, and in line with my conscience.”
He also said: “We are not powerless! Each of us can express our opposition out loud. Each of us can provide help to the best of our ability. At this point, I would like to emphasize how proud I am of my compatriots who are helping and welcoming tens of thousands of Ukrainian citizens fleeing the war. Poles, you are great! Unity and solidarity for Ukraine!”
On Friday, March 4, Beczała is due to appear as Cavaradossi in Puccini’s Tosca in Munich, and later this month and in April he will sing the part of Lensky in Tchaikovsky’s Eugene Onegin in six performances at the Metropolitan Opera in New York.
Piotr Beczała. Photo: PAP/Piotr Nowak
Meanwhile, Michał Klauza, artistic director of the Polish Radio Orchestra in Warsaw, has announced he has decided to suspend his collaboration with the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow as a gesture of protest against the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Klauza had served as the theatre’s guest conductor since 2016.
“This war must be stopped immediately. Glory to Ukraine, glory to the heroes who are defending their homeland against the aggressor,” Klauza wrote, adding that until the end of the Russian invasion all concerts by the Polish Radio Orchestra would open with the national anthems of Ukraine and Poland.
Michał Klauza. Photo: Wojciech Kusiński/PR
Russia's war on Ukraine has also been condemned by Andrzej Boreyko, artistic director of the Warsaw Philharmonic.
In a statement posted on the Warsaw Philharmonic’s website, he said: “My family roots are in Volhynia, so the tragedy of that land is also my own. There are times when one needs to take a decisive stance and say words which will be both emphatic and unequivocal.
"Human life is the greatest value to me, and I therefore firmly condemn every war, including the one declared by the Russian government on Ukraine. I am deeply moved by the tragedy of our Neighbours.
"I have close friends and acquaintances in Ukraine, who have now found themselves in great peril. I pray for them and for all the Citizens of Ukraine … War kills. There can be no justification for war. War should be stopped immediately."
Andrzej Boreyko. Photo: Jakub Kukla/PR2
(mk/gs)