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Vienna is commemorating the 200th anniversary of the premiere of Ludwig van Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony with a series of performances, notably by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Riccardo Muti. The symphony, renowned as a pinnacle of Western classical music, features the stirring Ode to Joy and was first performed in Vienna in 1824. The Vienna Singverein Choir, composed of non-professional singers like schoolteacher Heidrun Irene Mittermair, collaborates with the orchestra for these performances.

Otto Biba, a musicologist, describes Beethoven’s Ninth as revolutionary, especially for introducing singing in the fourth movement. Elke Manner-Prochart, a mezzo-soprano in the choir, discusses the challenges of performing the symphony, particularly the emotional intensity required.

Despite Beethoven’s deteriorating hearing, he conducted the symphony’s premiere at the Kärntnertortheater in Vienna. Daniel Froschauer, first violinist of the Vienna Philharmonic, emphasizes the significance of the piece in the orchestra’s history, noting its themes of peace, unity, and brotherhood.

Heidrun Irene Mittermair reflects on the symphony’s journey from darkness to light, suggesting that Beethoven may have used it to overcome his personal struggles. Overall, the Ninth Symphony is celebrated for its profound emotional impact and enduring significance.

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A Russian actress, Polina Menshikh, lost her life during a Ukrainian shelling incident that targeted a dance hall in occupied Ukraine on November 19. She was reportedly performing for Russian troops at the time. The strike resulted in the deaths of approximately 20 Russian soldiers, according to Ukrainian reports. Despite this, Russian authorities have not issued any official statements on the matter.

Ms. Menshikh was delivering a performance in a local dance hall, which could accommodate around 150 people, according to local reports. A video circulating on social media purportedly captures the moment of the strike. In the footage, Ms. Menshikh is seen on stage singing and playing the guitar before an explosion occurs, plunging the hall into darkness. Unfortunately, she succumbed to her injuries in the hospital.

The incident unfolded around 60 kilometers (37 miles) from the front line, specifically in the village of Kumachove, located in the Donetsk region. This region has been under Russian occupation since 2014, and areas like Avdiika and Bakhmut have witnessed intense fighting in recent months.

The Ukrainian army spokesperson confirmed the media reports of the strike, providing additional context to the tragic event. Meanwhile, a theatre studio in St. Petersburg associated with Ms. Menshikh announced that an upcoming performance, a play she had previously directed, would be dedicated to her memory.

In response to the incident, Russian pro-war bloggers criticized the organization of the show. They argued that concentrating a large number of soldiers in one place made it an obvious target for Ukrainian strikes, highlighting the risks associated with such gatherings in conflict zones.

Picture Courtesy: Google/images are subject to copyright