Cara Sposa by Handel in the operatic short film 'Magura' (see description for more details)

Anna Starushkevych https://www.anna-starushkevych.com/ is an opera singer, recitalist, visual and experimental artist, as well as the founder of a UK-registered nonprofit Music Will Save The World https://www.musicwillsavetheworld.com/ https://youtube.com/@MusicWillSaveTheWorld604 Magura, the first major undertaking of the nonprofit—a short operatic film that written, directed, and produced by Anna Starushkevych under the nonprofit's Opera is Us project https://www.musicwillsavetheworld.com/opera-is-us-project The inspiration for and need to create Magura came from the disappearance of Anna's own relative at the front in Ukraine. This film is dedicated to raising awareness about the issue of missing people in war. To best understand the messages and symbolism in Magura, I invite you to watch this short video introduction: ???? Who is Magura? https://youtu.be/Vp90Sry7h4M Our world is a turbulent and, at times, hopeless place. Music truly has the power to "save" the world by bringing emotion and humanity back to important issues that have become too dry and statistical in the global media. There are simply too many tragedies to report—Ukrainians know this all too well—so many daily losses that one almost becomes numb just to survive. By restoring humanity to issues like that of missing people in war, we can pause, acknowledge these innocent lives, and look for practical ways to help. This is precisely why Magura was created: to give a voice to all the missing men, women, and children of war and conflict around the world, by screening the short film and fundraising to support the search efforts. Their lives matter, their families are waiting for their return, and their stories must not go unnoticed. Through Magura, we not only share a powerful narrative, but also support the fundraising efforts for Platzdarm (featured in the New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/22/world/europe/russia-ukraine-toll-bodies.html ), the search group of volunteers whose work is central to this cause. If you’d like to help, you can make a donation via this link https://www.musicwillsavetheworld.com/magura —your support truly makes a difference for the families still searching for their loved ones. If you know of any platforms, festivals, or panel discussions - similar to the one that took place in Cambridge, UK - where Magura could be featured, we would love to hear from you. Your help in spreading the word about the film—and supporting the cause—would truly mean a great deal to those affected by this issue. Support Magura and our ongoing work: Donate to the cause via this link https://donate.stripe.com/aEU8xb8Qu62Idjy3cc For updates, events, and stories from the community, follow Music Will Save The World on social media: https://www.instagram.com/musicwillsavetheworld/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61571662648318 https://www.linkedin.com/company/music-will-save-the-world/ https://substack.com/@annasvoice Heartfelt Gratitude from Anna Magura would not have been possible without the wonderful artists—some of whom donated their time and skill, and others who heavily discounted their fees—in support of this important and often unspoken-about cause. Special thanks go to the wonderful Paul Bradshaw, who made the vision in my head a reality through the lens of his camera; to Jan Capinski of Capinski Recordings, who did an incredible job audio recording Handel’s legendary aria ‘Cara Sposa’ while we were filming; and, of course, to the Endelienta Baroque Ensemble—whose outstanding musicianship elevated both the film and the messages it carries. I am deeply grateful to them and to everyone else who contributed to the making of the film (the full list of artists is included below). With their help, this “elephant in the room” issue is being highlighted at various events where the film is screened. As of July 26th 2025, Magura has raised over £7,000, all of which has gone directly to Platsdarm to support their search missions. I am also deeply grateful to our generous donors whose support made Magura possible: The International Opera Awards, Wolfgang and friend, and O.A. Your belief in this project and your financial support were vital to bringing it to life. Thank you to: Paul Bradshaw – Videographer, Editor, and Co-producer Jan Capinski – Audio Engineer Endelienta Baroque Ensemble (Seb Gillot, Maxim Del Mar, Charlotte Amherst, Alexis Bennett, Jacob Garside, Jonny Gee) Yanis Stepanenko – Ukrainian Couturier, creator of the Magura Dress Eka Kapanadze – Donor of the dress created by Maestro Stepanenko for her to wear at the Cannes Film Festival 2023 St Peter’s Notting Hill Church, London Wonderspace Studios, Lviv, Ukraine Yarko Sebalo – Actor (Male Lead) Y.K. – Actress (Little Girl) Makeup Artists: Julia Leshanich, Sophia Araya, Ieva Genovesi, Yulia Bentsak Valentin Vernigor – Colourist Boti Ordong – VFX Artist Dash Tenditna – On-set Photography Natalia Leontieva – Graphic Designer