The Ukrainian conductor Oksana Lyniv was getting ready for a performance of Puccini’s “Turandot” at the Metropolitan Opera this month when she learned of a Russian drone striking a building in Odesa, close to her parents-in-law’s home. She immediately called her family to confirm their safety. The images of the attack, particularly the victims, including a young mother and children, stayed with her. When conducting that night, she felt a heightened sense of the pain of war, especially during Liù’s death in the opera’s final act and the chorus turning hushed.
“In that moment, I saw all the suffering of the war,” she said. “How do you explain such sadness? How do you explain who gets to be alive and who has to die?”
Since the invasion, Lyniv, 46, the first Ukrainian conductor to perform at the Met, has used her platform to condemn Russia’s government while actively promoting Ukrainian culture. She has championed works by Ukrainian composers and toured Europe with the Youth Symphony Orchestra of Ukraine, an ensemble she founded in 2016.
The ongoing conflict has presented challenges for artists and cultural institutions. Performers from Russia have faced pressure to denounce President Vladimir V. Putin, while Ukrainians have grappled with the dilemma of working on Russian projects or collaborating with Russian artists.
Lyniv, who currently resides in Düsseldorf, Germany, has found herself at times in a difficult position. She expressed her disapproval when a festival in Vienna paired her appearance with a concert conducted by Teodor Currentzis, who faced scrutiny over his Russian connections (the festival canceled his appearance). Additionally, Lyniv has faced criticism in Ukraine for continuing to perform Russian music and collaborating with Russian artists like soprano Elena Pankratova, who is playing the title role in the Met’s rendition of “Turandot” conducted by Lyniv until April 19.
Lyniv defended her decision, saying, “We can’t be against each other just because of nationalities.” She emphasized the importance of honoring great composers. She further stated, “The masterpieces by Tchaikovsky or Stravinsky and Prokofiev — these are not the property of Putin. We can’t let politicians misuse the music, the art. Tchaikovsky would be against this war, I am sure of it.”
The choreographer Alexei Ratmansky, who created a ballet about the war, praised Lyniv for her strong convictions and unwavering dedication. He described her as a full artist and character with remarkable inner strength.
Lyniv, who trained at opera houses in Ukraine and later at the Bavarian State Opera in Munich with Kirill Petrenko, has garnered acclaim for the sensitivity of her conducting. She has also made history in the industry that is still predominantly male-dominated.
At the Met, where cultural leaders have been vocal against the war, Lyniv’s portrait now hangs alongside other Ukrainian artists. She has been praised for infusing fresh energy and vitality into the cherished production of “Turandot.” Peter Gelb, the Met’s general manager, commended her clarity and determination.
Born into a family of musicians in Brody, Ukraine, Lyniv developed her passion for music at a young age. After rising to prominence in the global music scene following her success at the Gustav Mahler Conducting Competition in Bamberg, Germany, she continued to excel and break barriers in a traditionally male-dominated field.
Despite challenges and doubts, Lyniv persisted and pursued her dream of becoming a professional conductor. Her achievements, including becoming the first woman to conduct at the Bayreuth Festival and the first female music director of the Teatro Comunale in Bologna, Italy, have solidified her reputation as a trailblazer in the world of classical music.
Lyniv blends her art with the current challenges of the times, combining talent, willpower, and creativity to create impactful performances and advocate for Ukrainian culture on an international stage. She remains deeply connected to her roots in Ukraine, using her art to convey the emotions and experiences of her homeland amidst the ongoing conflict.
