Acclaimed Ukrainian opera singer Vladislav Horay has been killed while on a volunteer mission to the Sumy region, a fierce battleground in the Russia-Ukraine war. Horay was a soloist with the Odesa National Opera, renowned for being a “world-class tenor” and “Honored Artist of Ukraine” with a globally recognized voice.
The Odesa National Opera shared the tragic news on Facebook, stating, “Tragic news has shaken the entire artistic community of Ukraine. (Horay) was not only a talented performer — he was an example of strength, dignity, and kindness in life.” The circumstances of his death were not disclosed.
Before his death, Horay’s last performance was uploaded by the Odesa opera house, featuring him singing the Neapolitan song “O Sole Mio.” The opera house described the video as “farewell” and “the last gift from a singer who lived for the stage and left a piece of his soul there.”
Horay had been raising money for a Ukrainian naval unit, as mentioned in a June 5 post on his Facebook. With a career spanning decades, he joined the Odesa National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet in 1993 and performed in various countries, including the USA, Britain, and Canada. Notably, he toured Britain and performed at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
The northeast Sumy region, where Horay was killed, has seen intense battles between Russian and Ukrainian forces. Russian forces have made incremental progress advancing towards the capital of the region, also called Sumy, highlighting the pressure Kyiv faces from the northern border to the Black Sea.
Horay’s death has sent shockwaves through the artistic community, with many mourning the loss of a talented performer who used his platform to support his country. His volunteer work in the Sumy region, a fiercely contested battleground, underscores the sacrifices made by many Ukrainians in the ongoing conflict.
The Odesa National Opera’s tribute to Horay highlights his dedication to his craft and his country, saying, “He was not only a talented performer — he was an example of strength, dignity, and kindness in life.” His legacy as a world-class tenor and Honored Artist of Ukraine will be remembered for years to come.