Exclusively Anna Shafajinskaia – The opera diva continued to sing despite air raid sirens in Odessa

Anna Shafajinskaia is a Ukrainian-born, Canadian soprano celebrated as one of the world’s foremost dramatic voices. Her career spans continents and iconic opera houses—from the Bastille in Paris to the Bolshoi in Moscow—where she has captivated audiences with her commanding portrayals of roles like Turandot, Tosca, and Lady Macbeth.

After winning the prestigious Luciano Pavarotti International Competition, Shafajinskaia rose to global prominence, performing opposite Pavarotti himself in Tosca under the baton of Marco Armiliato. Her repertoire is vast and demanding, including Abigaille in Nabucco, Maddalena in Andrea Chénier, and Leonora in La forza del destino, showcasing her vocal power and emotional depth.

Whether singing Britten’s War Requiem in Porto or debuting new roles in New Zealand, Israel, and China, Shafajinskaia brings a fearless intensity to the stage. Her artistry bridges cultures and generations, making her a compelling figure in contemporary opera.

One of the most powerful examples of her courage came during her 2025 solo concert in Odessa, Ukraine. In the middle of her first aria—Dvořák’s Rusalka—military air raid sirens began to sound. Yet, she continued singing. The audience, undeterred by danger, chose not to evacuate, and the performance went on uninterrupted. This act of devotion to art and defiance in the face of threat was hailed as a moving symbol of resilience and cultural resistance. On her YouTube video of this performance she wrote: „Sorry for air raid alarm during first aria.“

When we communicate with Opera diva for this interview she said: „I am sending you some photos and my little poem. What does Theatre mean to me in my life. It is often easier for me to express myself in poetry than in prose.“

Se we decided to publish her poetry:

Exclusive Interview

Journalist: A month ago you posted a video of your solo concert on your YouTube channel and it says: „Sorry for the air raid alarm during the first aria.“ The concert was held on your birthday and you dedicated it to your parents. Please describe that scene, where was the concert held and what happened?

Anna Shafajinskaia: „The concert that I dedicated to the memory of my parents was just on my birthday. The coldest month of February did not force people to stay at home and a large crowd gathered in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Pavel. Literally at the beginning of the concert, the air raid alarm sounded during Rusalka’s aria. Usually any action stops and public request to go to the bomb shelter. But that time our audience refused to hide and demanded the continuation of the concert. For the first time in my life I was singing when on one side a loud siren screamed in my ear. On the other hand, I listened to the sound of the organ, so as not to lose the tonality, tune:)„

Journalist: How difficult is it to fight with art in today’s world when we see war situations in several parts of the world?

Anna Shafajinskaia: „Now the whole situation in the world is very hard. The world is on a dangerous frontier of self-destruction of our civilization. But I know that real Music with a live human voice is one of the most powerful “weapon” of creation and purification. The human voice is incomparable with any instrument. Especially clear voice without any technical added equipment (like mic.)

We get daly low vibration of hatred and anger from the media, from political dirty situations- these all things created to manipulate people, to keep them under control. It’s time to change the law “- Divide  and conquer” to the true meaning, Cause of Life – Unite and create! And then only Classical music can set up the human soul to Light, to good and right vibrations.“ 

Journalist: How do artists live in Ukraine, actually how do you personally manage to survive that situation?

Anna Shafajinskaia: „I cannot answer for all artists in Ukraine. This is a particularly difficult time for everyone. Many chose to leave, but many stayed. I also decided to stay with my hometown of Odessa. And believe me, I am in my place now. Believe me, when I hear words of gratitude from people that I didn’t abandon them, that I prolong their lives with my creativity, it’s worth all the famous opera houses in the world where I sang. Many of my foreign friends and colleagues are surprised.

After all, I have every opportunity to live abroad. No, right now, during the war, we decided with my whole family to be where we are most needed. Odessa is a special city, a special nationality of the Odessa people.“

Journalist: How many concerts do you currently have in the world, considering that you have a global career and that the media of the world write the best articles about you.

Anna Shafajinskaia: „Currently, I refuse to travel abroad, because contracts usually last two months (one month for rehearsals of an opera production; the second month for a certain number of performances). I can’t leave my family because we never know what might happen. Usually, drone attacks begin at night and this is a very dangerous time for all citizens.

How can I sleep peacefully somewhere if my family stays at home? This is impossible. Therefore, all my creative activity is only in Odessa.„

Journalist: At what level is Opera today compared to all other directions of music?

Anna Shafajinskaia: „I think you yourself understand perfectly well what level the art of opera is at now. I am not a critic, and certainly not a critic to my colleagues, since I know how hard this work is. But unfortunately I have to admit that much has turned into a cheap and immorally vulgar show. But the task of opera is completely different! This is the most sublime art of the sound of the living voice and the sound of a living orchestra! I admit honestly, I had to refuse contracts several times where aesthetics were turned into the wrong side of dirty clothing.

Very often I was not afraid to tell the truth and I know how unflattering this affected my career 🙂 But I don’t regret anything, because the main thing is that I never betrayed myself and the art that I serve with great pleasure and Soul. Some newcomers to opera directing mercilessly change the script, the action, the meaning of the libretto, but even in its sometimes distorted form, an opera performance can elevate this thanks to the music of great composers.„

Journalist: As a timeless art, can Opera attract a young audience and in what way?

Anna Shafajinskaia: „I think that parents should not be afraid to bring kids to the opera house. The pure and open souls of children are more susceptible to the truth than anyone else. They clearly feel real music. You just need to be careful in choosing your first performance. For example it could be Turandot or Falstaff…

After all, the first impression is so important. Well, when a little person grows up surrounded by classical music and opera performances, then all of his further development will be at a high level of Personality formation.„

Journalist: How do you see yourself in the future as an artist? Do you see any advancement in your career considering that you are very famous in the world and your career is very successful?

Anna Shafajinskaia: „My future is known to the Lord Himself and I always entrust myself into His hands. I’m not going to fold my wings and I’m sure that I can still do a lot both on stage and for the younger generation of singers.„

Journalist: What would you say to young talents who want to enter the world of Opera?

Anna Shafajinskaia: „Don’t waste time! Study music, vocals thoroughly, and also be fully and widely educated people. Be sure to know the history, it helps a lot on stage and in life. Don’t allow yourself to be manipulated; deeply respect the composers whose works you perform and respect your colleagues and yourself. Believe, always firmly believe – if not me, then who!„

Watch the video of Anna’s performance in Odesa when the air raid sirens sounded and the audience refused to go to the shelter here.