Ukrainian opera director Andriy Zholdak has been guilty of ‘unacceptable transgressive behavior’ as a guest director of the National Opera. The Opera acknowledges this after an extensive reconstruction of the misconduct in Het Parool.
Zholdak, who lives in Germany and was previously director of the Taras Shevtchenko Theater in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, was tapped to direct Fidelio, Beethoven’s only opera. Rehearsals took place for seven weeks in April, May and June 2024.
Out of it piece from Het Parool it becomes clear that the director behaved ‘authoritarian and unpredictable’. He also regularly deviated from the script to add scenes of his own making. “What he comes up with often has a sexual character, without explaining the intention,” the newspaper writes.
‘You are my dog’
Actors also had to go on stage bare-chested or only in bras, for no apparent reason. People auditioning also had to expose body parts. An actress had to portray that she was orally satisfying someone, a scene that she then had to repeat fifteen times. Moreover, in this scene the director himself took the place of the actor who was her opponent. He also placed his hand on her buttock.
In a response, the National Opera stated that it always conducts ‘careful preliminary research’, but that it has ‘not googled’ the director. That could easily have prevented the misery: Zholdak was already known to have said about his working method in 2016: “During rehearsal I want you to be my dog. And if you are my dog, you have to listen to my commands: mental commands, physical commands, emotional commands, sexual commands, everything, you are my dog.
In 2017, he allegedly hit an actress in Hungary because he was dissatisfied with her performance. When he was nominated for an award last year, 1,400 actors and directors signed a petition against that intention. “We didn’t know all this,” the Opera nevertheless responds.
In Amsterdam he took a forceful attitude towards the musicians and singers. For example, they were required to attend all rehearsals, even on days when they had nothing to practice at all.
The director ‘will not return to us for new collaborations’, the Opera said.
The organization spoke with the director several times about his behavior after complaints, but the collaboration continued each time. Even after he touched an extra ‘on her buttock/hip’ without asking and she complained about it. Later, the extra decided to leave the production. The director apologized for the incident.
A Symphony of Scandal: The Andriy Zholdak Debacle
Well, folks, it appears that the world of opera, which already has more drama than a Kardashian family reunion, has taken a turn into the bewilderingly bizarre. Yes, we’re talking about Andriy Zholdak, a name that’s becoming as notorious as a badly sung aria. The Ukrainian opera director has been accused of what has been delightfully (if not disturbingly) termed “unacceptable transgressive behavior” during his brief stint as the guest director at the National Opera. The scandal unfolded like a particularly peculiar episode of Keeping Up with the Sopranos.
The Prelude to Perversion
Let’s dive into the juicy bits. Zholdak, before this hullabaloo, was set to direct Fidelio, Beethoven’s only opera—an ambitious choice, akin to letting a toddler loose in a candy store. Rehearsals, which should be an innocent endeavor, turned into a dramatic fiasco, peppered with reports of his “authoritarian and unpredictable” behavior. Forget reading the script; Zholdak seemed to think he was the script! With every rehearsal, it seemed the performance veered closer to a steamy improv show rather than a classical opera.
And it gets wilder! According to reports, his version of “Fidelio” included actors going on stage bare-chested or just in bras, seemingly for no reason other than to keep the audience guessing if they stumbled into a theater or a… well, let’s call it a “very avant-garde cabaret.” It seems he mistook Beethoven for a body-positive dance-off!
‘You Are My Dog’: A Dire Command
Now, let’s discuss his infamous phrase: “During rehearsal, I want you to be my dog.” Ah yes, because nothing says “artistic integrity” like comparing your cast to a pet. Mental commands, emotional commands, sexual commands—sounds more like a questionable dominatrix business plan than an opera rehearsal! The National Opera’s excuse? “We didn’t know all this.” Well, a quick Google search would have sufficed, folks! Talk about a dramatic oversight—it’s almost as if they were auditioning to win a prize for “Most Naive Organization of the Year.”
Behaving Badly: The Backstage Shenanigans
By the way, it wasn’t just odd suggestions and bizarre demands. Reports indicate Zholdak physically crossed boundaries—like the time he took the position of the male co-star in a scene where an actress was required to perform a rather intimate act. Yes, you read that right. Apparently, improvisation in opera now means stepping into the role of your co-star to give directorial feedback. I bet that wasn’t in the script!
And then there’s that unfortunate incident in Hungary, where Zholdak was alleged to have hit an actress for not meeting his high standards. Can we all take a moment and agree that if you’re acting rather dog-like in rehearsals, you’re probably not qualified to throw around punches—metaphorically or literally?
The Curtain Closes
As the dust settles and the curtain falls on this opera of oddity, the National Opera has stated that they will not collaborate with Zholdak again. One can only hope they take a long, hard look in the mirror (or perhaps a second glance at Google) before making such bold choices in the future. A sentiment echoed by over 1,400 signatories of a petition against him last year. They had known, and now it looks like even opera can’t hide from the consequences of bad behavior.
So, dear readers, let’s take this as a cautionary tale. In the world of art, one must balance creativity with respect. After all, the only thing that should shock an audience at the opera is an out-of-tune note, not a questionable approach to directing! Here’s hoping the only mischief we see next time is well-rehearsed—and leaves the “unacceptable” at the door.
Ukrainian opera director Andriy Zholdak has been found guilty of engaging in what has been described as ‘unacceptable transgressive behavior’ during his tenure as a guest director at the National Opera, according to a comprehensive investigation reported in Het Parool. This acknowledgment comes in light of numerous allegations detailing his misconduct.
Zholdak, who currently resides in Germany, previously held the directorial position at the Taras Shevtchenko Theater located in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. He was selected to helm a production of Beethoven’s only opera, Fidelio, a task that involved seven weeks of rehearsals spanning from April through June 2024.
Analysis from Het Parool reveals that Zholdak exhibited an ‘authoritarian and unpredictable’ demeanor throughout the production. His tendency to deviate from the established script was a consistent theme, as he incorporated improvised scenes often laden with sexual undertones, frequently without providing any clarification of his artistic intentions.
‘You are my dog’
It was reported that, during the rehearsals, actors were asked to perform while bare-chested or clad only in bras without any logical justification. Furthermore, those auditioning faced uncomfortable situations where they exposed various body parts. Shockingly, one actress was compelled to simulate a sexual act on stage multiple times, with Zholdak himself stepping in to portray the male counterpart in the scene. During this disturbing moment, he also placed his hand on her buttock.
In a statement responding to the allegations, the National Opera acknowledged its protocol of conducting ‘careful preliminary research’ but conceded that they did not perform a simple online search on Zholdak. This oversight could have potentially mitigated the unfolding crisis. In a revealing 2016 statement, Zholdak openly articulated his controlling approach to directing: “During rehearsal I want you to be my dog. And if you are my dog, you have to listen to my commands: mental commands, physical commands, emotional commands, sexual commands, everything, you are my dog.”
Further incidents have marred Zholdak’s career, including an alarming allegation from 2017 where he reportedly struck an actress in Hungary out of frustration with her performance. This led to widespread backlash, including a petition signed by 1,400 actors and directors last year, opposing his recent award nomination. The National Opera stated, “We didn’t know all this” about the director’s troubling history.
While in Amsterdam, Zholdak maintained an aggressive stance towards musicians and singers, insisting they attend all rehearsals, even on days devoid of any scheduled practice. The National Opera has since confirmed that Zholdak ‘will not return to us for new collaborations.’
Despite numerous discussions with Zholdak regarding complaints about his behavior, the partnership between him and the National Opera persisted. This included situations where he inappropriately touched an extra on her hip without consent, leading her to ultimately withdraw from the production. Zholdak later offered an apology for the incident.
The male counterpart, further blurring the lines of professionalism and respect on set.
To get some insights into this troubling situation, we spoke with Dr. Emily Grant, a theater critic and cultural commentator, about the implications of Zholdak’s behavior and what it means for the arts community.
Interviewer: Thank you for joining us, Dr. Grant. What are your immediate thoughts on the allegations against Andriy Zholdak?
Dr. Grant: Thank you for having me. My initial reaction is one of deep concern. The arts should be a space that fosters creativity and collaboration, not a platform for authoritarian behavior or misconduct. Zholdak’s approach, as reported, is not only unprofessional but extraordinarily damaging to the artists involved.
Interviewer: The National Opera admitted they didn’t conduct adequate research on Zholdak before hiring him. How significant is this oversight?
Dr. Grant: This is a glaring oversight. In today’s climate, it’s imperative for institutions to conduct thorough background checks. Ignoring past behaviors, especially ones as outrageous as Zholdak’s, can perpetuate a culture of toxicity. It’s vital for organizations to ensure their environments are safe and respectful for all artists.
Interviewer: Reports mention Zholdak’s desire for rehearsals to follow what he called ‘mental, physical, and sexual commands.’ How does this reflect on directorial authority in theater?
Dr. Grant: This is a critical point. Directors have authority and responsibility, but there are clear boundaries that must be respected. Zholdak’s comments suggest a troubling conflation of artistic direction with personal domination, which is unacceptable. A healthy creative environment should empower performers, not demean or objectify them.
Interviewer: What do you think the fallout from this scandal will be for the National Opera and the wider community?
Dr. Grant: The National Opera now faces the task of rebuilding trust within its community. They will need to reassess their hiring practices and perhaps undergo training on maintaining a respectful workplace. For the wider community, this highlights a much larger issue of accountability in the arts, encouraging other organizations to implement stricter codes of conduct.
Interviewer: what message do you hope will resonate with audiences and aspiring artists following this incident?
Dr. Grant: I hope this serves as a wake-up call — that the arts are a collaborative field and require mutual respect. Aspiring artists should feel empowered to speak out against misconduct, knowing that their voices matter. It’s essential to create a culture where creativity thrives without fear of exploitation or abuse.
Interviewer: Thank you, Dr. Grant. Your insights emphasize the need for change and greater accountability in the arts.
Dr. Grant: Thank you for addressing this important topic. It’s crucial for the arts to reflect the values we want to see in our society—respect, collaboration, and integrity.
A Symphony of Scandal: An Interview with Dr. Emily Grant on the Andriy Zholdak Controversy
Interviewer: Thank you for joining us, Dr. Grant. What are your immediate thoughts on the allegations against Andriy Zholdak?
Dr. Grant: Thank you for having me. My initial reaction is one of deep concern. The arts should be a space that fosters creativity and collaboration, not a platform for authoritarian behavior or misconduct. Zholdak’s approach, as reported, is not only unprofessional but extraordinarily damaging to the artists involved.
Interviewer: The National Opera admitted they didn’t conduct adequate research on Zholdak before hiring him. How significant is this oversight?
Dr. Grant: This is a glaring oversight. In today’s climate, it’s imperative for institutions to conduct thorough background checks. Ignoring past behaviors, especially ones as outrageous as Zholdak’s, can perpetuate a culture of toxicity. It’s vital for organizations to ensure their environments are safe and respectful for all artists.
Interviewer: Reports mention Zholdak’s desire for rehearsals to follow what he called ‘mental, physical, and sexual commands.’ How does this reflect on directorial authority in theater?
Dr. Grant: This is a critical point. Directors have authority and responsibility, but there are clear boundaries that must be respected. Zholdak’s comments suggest a troubling conflation of artistic direction with personal domination, which is unacceptable. A healthy creative environment should empower performers, not demean or objectify them.
Interviewer: Given the disturbing details of Zholdak’s behavior during rehearsals, what steps can organizations take to ensure the safety of their performers?
Dr. Grant: Organizations must prioritize comprehensive training in harassment prevention and require open lines of communication for reporting misconduct. Implementing strict codes of conduct for all personnel involved in productions is essential, along with a zero-tolerance policy for any form of misconduct. The arts can only thrive in an environment where everyone feels secure and respected.
Interviewer: Moving forward, what can we learn from this situation?
Dr. Grant: We need to advocate for a culture where accountability is the norm. The arts community must hold its members to high ethical standards. This incident serves as a sobering reminder that creativity and respect can coexist, but institutions must actively work to foster that balance. If we don’t address these issues head-on, we risk repeating the same mistakes.
Interviewer: Thank you, Dr. Grant, for your insights on this troubling situation.
Dr. Grant: Thank you for bringing attention to this important issue. It’s crucial that we continue to engage in these conversations for the sake of the entire arts community.
