The National Opera recognizes the guest director’s misconduct, takes action

The Dutch National Opera admits that guest director Andriy Zholdak was guilty of unacceptable cross-border behavior during the production of the opera Fidelio. This was announced by the company on Saturday in response to a major report in Het Parool. Rehearsals took place over seven weeks in April, May and June 2024.

According to the opera, this involved “in particular impulsive, inappropriate, inappropriate and intimidating behavior and physical touching during rehearsals without seeking prior consent.” The company emphasizes that Zholdak is not employed by the Dutch National Opera. “It was the first time we worked with him and also the last time: Zholdak will not return to work with us,” the company says.

According to the Dutch National Opera, Zholdak was repeatedly approached by employees during the production process about his problematic working methods and transgressive behavior. However, the behavior kept repeating itself.

An incident also occurred during an ensemble rehearsal. “While demonstrating a scene to an extra during a rehearsal, attended by other artists and staff, the director touched this extra on her bottom/hip with his hand,” the statement said. “Zholdak should have asked permission for this in advance, according to our protocol. The figure in question then made an official report of transgressive behavior.”

After this report, the director was banned from the theater and discussions were held with those directly involved. “Based on these discussions, I informed Zholdak that the continuation of the rehearsal process was only possible under strict conditions.” The director also apologized to the employees involved.

When the opera brought Zholdak on board for their production of Beethoven’s Fidelio, they knew nothing of the director’s controversial demeanor. In a press conference in Romania in 2016, Zholdak explained his directing style: “Tomorrow morning, at the rehearsal, I want you to be my dog. And when you’re my dog, you must obey my commands: mental commands, physical commands. , emotional commands, sexual commands, everything, you’re my dog, I’m a concentration camp,” reports Het Parool.

The Dutch National Opera states that if Zholdak had not accepted these conditions, the production would have been stopped. The company points out that it was also the desire of the employees involved to continue production. One of the artists, the figure mentioned above, had a different opinion. Retired from production. Het Parool reports that this extra filed a complaint with the Public Prosecutor’s Office, but that the investigations did not result in any criminal prosecution.