Earlier this week, the Royal Opera House Songs for Ukraine Chorus met with First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenkska during a visit to No. 10 Downing Street. During a reception, the ensemble performed the Ukrainian national anthem and “Prayer for Ukraine” for Zelenska and Akshata Murty. “We were absolutely delighted that Mrs. Zelenska and Mrs. Murty met with our wonderful {…}
The Deutsche Oper Berlin will commemorate the second year of the war in Ukraine by teaming up with a nonprofit organization. In a statement, the company said, “Already two years. We would like to take the 2nd anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine as an opportunity to appeal for humanitarian donations. To this end, we are once again working {…}
The Metropolitan Opera will observe Ukraine’s Independence Day on August 24 continuing its mission to support the country. The company said, “Tomorrow, August 24, in honor of Ukraine’s Independence Day, we will display Ukrainian flags on the façade of the opera house and broadcast the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra’s recent performance in Warsaw on Metropolitan Opera Radio, Sirius XM channel 355, {…}
The Metropolitan Opera has announced that the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra, under the music direction of Keri-Lynn Wilson, will reunite this August for a tour of major European festivals and cities, continuing to demonstrate Ukrainian artistry as the nation fights for its freedom. The 74-piece orchestra includes Ukrainian musicians from across the country, with some male members having received special permission {…}
On Jan. 28, Ukrainian-Canadian dramatic soprano Antonina Ermolenko will perform music by Mussorgsky in Ottawa. The soprano was originally hesitant to perform the works due to Russian’s ongoing assault on Ukraine and the her subsequent repulsion at the idea of performing Russian music. However, after discussions with her family, she realized that the power of music is that it speaks {…}
There’s always a place for a bittersweet sentimentality at the end of the year when we sum up our best and worst moments to see what place this year gets in our personal tops. This year, many people cannot think about anything like this, at all. Quite obviously, they are the people of Ukraine. Those who live with only two {…}
Ukrainian Minister of Culture Oleksandr Tkachenko has called for a boycott of Russian Culture. In a letter to the Guardian, the minister said, “Russia isn’t just physically attacking Ukraine; it is also trying to destroy our culture and memory. In the occupied territories, Ukrainian libraries have been liquidated, the word “Ukraine” has been erased, and Ukrainian museums have been destroyed. Our {…}
The Kölner Philharmonie has canceled Russian-Greek conductor Teodor Currentzis’s concert on Jan. 27, 2023. The Philharmonie director Louwrens Langevoort said, “This does not mean that we do not appreciate his artistic achievements, but more than half a year after the outbreak of war, an attitude towards the political situation should be recognizable.” Langevoort added, “The activities and financing of his {…}
Ukraine’s parliament has voted to ban some Russian music in media and public spaces. The ban will not apply to all Russian music, but it will relate to music created or performed by those who are or were Russian citizens after 1991. The artists who condemned Russia’s war in Ukraine can apply for an exemption from the ban. The bill, {…}
Photo: Peter Koutun The Chicago Lyric Opera Orchestra, Lyric Opera Stage Artists, and Ukrainian musicians presented a benefit concert, “We Stand with Ukraine,” at St. Nicholas Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in Chicago on April 9, 2022. The benefit raised over $48,000, according to the chief organizer of the event, Principal Bassoon Preman Tilson. Half the proceeds are earmarked to assist refugee children {…}
UPDATE: This article, originally published on March 9, 2022, has been updated to include the artists performing. The Glyndebourne Festival will put on a charity concert to support those affected by the war in Ukraine. The showcase, which will take place on April 3 at 3 p.m. in the Glyndebourne auditorium, will feature Glyndebourne Festival artists along with the festival’s {…}