The Metropolitan Opera is doubling down on its support for Ukraine. On March 3, 2025 during the opening night performance of “Moby Dick’ the company performed the Ukrainian National Anthem.

The company did the same three years ago when the war began. During the opening night performance of “Don Carlos,” the company also performed the Ukrainian National Anthem beginning its support for the country currently at war with Russia.

The performance of the National Anthem came three days after the Met released a statement in support of the country following President Trump’s controversial meeting with President Zelenskyy. The Met said, “Ukraine continues its valiant fight for liberty under its heroic leader President Zelensky.”

The message was attached to a video of “Fidelio” which the company said is “Beethoven’s stirring opera about the triumph of freedom over tyranny.”

Since the war broke out in Ukraine in February 2022, the Metropolitan Opera has supported Ukraine and has also worked alongside the Polish National Opera to form the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra. It has also invited the First Lady of Ukraine who held a fundraiser and invited Ukrainian soldiers and the Ukrainian ambassador to a performance of “Tosca” starring Ukrainian soprano Liudmyla Monastyrska.

In the spring of 2023 the Met displayed the Ukrainian flag on the facade of the theater for four weeks. On August 24, 2023, the company observed Ukrainian Independence Day and in September 2023 General Manager Peter Gelb received Ukraine’s Order of Merit.

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