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Death and drama play out on the streets in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk almost daily. Inside the city's opera house, the strains of Tchaikovsky's tragic masterpiece “Eugene Onegin” briefly drowned out the boom of artillery fire Saturday. For the few dozen spectators that turn up, the opera's weekly performances serve as a respite from the war raging outside between Russian-backed separatists and Ukrainian government forces. The players with the Donetsk Opera and Ballet Theater are still in disbelief at what is happening around them. Artyom Yaroshevich, who played the title role on Saturday, said keeping the rebel-held city's theater going has been tough without outside help. “But you know, without work and singing, it would be the end”, he said. The theater once regularly teemed with spectators and put on several performances throughout the week. These days, the stalls are largely vacant. The performances are staged only at weekends, and in the early afternoon, well before darkness descends and the streets grow even emptier. Audience member Marina Bragina said visits to the opera house help citizens withstand the trials of war. “This is going to go on for a long time and we have to lift our spirits and cheer ourselves up”, Bragina said. “Enjoy culture, meet other people and not get desperate. It all helps”.


Actress with the Donbass Opera Theatre prepares to perform Eugene Onegin in Donetsk, Ukraine, Saturday, February 7, 2015. For the few dozen spectators that turn up, the weekly performances at the city's opera house serve as a respite from the war raging outside between Russian-backed separatists and Ukrainian government forces. (Photo by Petr David Josek/AP Photo)

Actress with the Donbass Opera Theatre prepares to perform Eugene Onegin in Donetsk, Ukraine, Saturday, February 7, 2015. For the few dozen spectators that turn up, the weekly performances at the city's opera house serve as a respite from the war raging outside between Russian-backed separatists and Ukrainian government forces. (Photo by Petr David Josek/AP Photo)




Actresses with the Donbass Opera Theatre prepare to perform Eugene Onegin in Donetsk, Ukraine, Saturday, February 7, 2015. (Photo by Petr David Josek/AP Photo)

Actresses with the Donbass Opera Theatre prepare to perform Eugene Onegin in Donetsk, Ukraine, Saturday, February 7, 2015. (Photo by Petr David Josek/AP Photo)




Musicians with the Donbass Opera Theatre play dominos before performance of Eugene Onegin in Donetsk, Ukraine, Saturday, February 7, 2015. (Photo by Petr David Josek/AP Photo)

Musicians with the Donbass Opera Theatre play dominos before performance of Eugene Onegin in Donetsk, Ukraine, Saturday, February 7, 2015. (Photo by Petr David Josek/AP Photo)




An actor with the Donbass Opera Theatre prepares to perform Eugene Onegin in Donetsk, Ukraine, Saturday, February 7, 2015. (Photo by Petr David Josek/AP Photo)

An actor with the Donbass Opera Theatre prepares to perform Eugene Onegin in Donetsk, Ukraine, Saturday, February 7, 2015. (Photo by Petr David Josek/AP Photo)




Musicians with the Donbass Opera Theatre prepare to perform Eugene Onegin in Donetsk, Ukraine, Saturday, February 7, 2015. (Photo by Petr David Josek/AP Photo)

Musicians with the Donbass Opera Theatre prepare to perform Eugene Onegin in Donetsk, Ukraine, Saturday, February 7, 2015. (Photo by Petr David Josek/AP Photo)




Artyom Yaroshevich, right, prepares to perform the title role in Eugene Onegin at the Donbass Opera Theatre in Donetsk, Ukraine, Saturday, February 7, 2015. (Photo by Petr David Josek/AP Photo)

Artyom Yaroshevich, right, prepares to perform the title role in Eugene Onegin at the Donbass Opera Theatre in Donetsk, Ukraine, Saturday, February 7, 2015. (Photo by Petr David Josek/AP Photo)




Actors with the Donbass Opera Theatre take their bow after a performance of Eugene Onegin in Donetsk, Ukraine, Saturday, February 7, 2015. (Photo by Petr David Josek/AP Photo)

Actors with the Donbass Opera Theatre take their bow after a performance of Eugene Onegin in Donetsk, Ukraine, Saturday, February 7, 2015. (Photo by Petr David Josek/AP Photo)




Musicians with the Donbass Opera Theatre prepare to perform Eugene Onegin in Donetsk, Ukraine, Saturday, February 7, 2015. (Photo by Petr David Josek/AP Photo)

Musicians with the Donbass Opera Theatre prepare to perform Eugene Onegin in Donetsk, Ukraine, Saturday, February 7, 2015. (Photo by Petr David Josek/AP Photo)




A staff member with the Donbass Opera Theatre writes on a wall before the performance of Eugene Onegin in Donetsk, Ukraine, Saturday, February 7, 2015. (Photo by Petr David Josek/AP Photo)

A staff member with the Donbass Opera Theatre writes on a wall before the performance of Eugene Onegin in Donetsk, Ukraine, Saturday, February 7, 2015. (Photo by Petr David Josek/AP Photo)




Artyom Yaroshevich, right, prepares to perform the title role in Eugene Onegin at the Donbass Opera Theatre in Donetsk, Ukraine, Saturday, February 7, 2015. (Photo by Petr David Josek/AP Photo)

Artyom Yaroshevich, right, prepares to perform the title role in Eugene Onegin at the Donbass Opera Theatre in Donetsk, Ukraine, Saturday, February 7, 2015. (Photo by Petr David Josek/AP Photo)




Artyom Yaroshevich prepares to perform the title role in Eugene Onegin at the Donbass Opera Theatre in Donetsk, Ukraine, Saturday, February 7, 2015. (Photo by Petr David Josek/AP Photo)

Artyom Yaroshevich prepares to perform the title role in Eugene Onegin at the Donbass Opera Theatre in Donetsk, Ukraine, Saturday, February 7, 2015. (Photo by Petr David Josek/AP Photo)




Artyom Yaroshevich prepares to perform the title role in Eugene Onegin at the Donbass Opera Theatre in Donetsk, Ukraine, Saturday, February 7, 2015. (Photo by Petr David Josek/AP Photo)

Artyom Yaroshevich prepares to perform the title role in Eugene Onegin at the Donbass Opera Theatre in Donetsk, Ukraine, Saturday, February 7, 2015. (Photo by Petr David Josek/AP Photo)




The backstage manager with the Donbass Opera Theatre presses a button during the performance of Eugene Onegin in Donetsk, Ukraine, Saturday, February 7, 2015. (Photo by Petr David Josek/AP Photo)

The backstage manager with the Donbass Opera Theatre presses a button during the performance of Eugene Onegin in Donetsk, Ukraine, Saturday, February 7, 2015. (Photo by Petr David Josek/AP Photo)
10 Feb 2015 12:15:00