The National Opera of Ukraine hosted a unique large-scale concert "Music for Peace"

On June 7, the National Opera of Ukraine hosted an event of exceptional scale – the concert “Music for Peace”, which was attended by more than 150 artists from Ukraine, Austria, Germany and the USA. The program included Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s “Requiem” and the Ukrainian premiere of Jörg Widmann’s “Cantata of War Times”, the website of the Ministry of Culture and Information Communications of Ukraine reports.

The art project “Music for Peace” became a tribute to the memory of the victims of the war and at the same time an act of solidarity of the international artistic community with Ukraine.

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“Music for Peace is music that overcomes the silence of war. Its language is accessible to everyone. And today, in the heart of Ukraine, in the center of Kyiv, this language sounds especially strong, especially honest and especially heartfelt, because Ukraine, at the cost of terrible losses, defends its freedom, and therefore the freedom of all Europeans. The works that we will hear were written in different eras, but they are united by the depth of feelings and the call for humanity during trials,” emphasized the Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine Mykola Tochytskyi.

He also thanked maestro Kent Nagano for the unique opportunity to conduct the orchestra of the National Opera of Ukraine for the first time, as well as composer Jörg Widmann for solidarity and support. And also to all those who made this project possible.

The project was implemented with the support of the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Ukraine, the Open City Music Charity Foundation, the National House of Music and the National Opera of Ukraine.

In his speech, the Ambassador of Germany to Ukraine Martin Jäger noted that Russian aggression causes suffering, destroys life, but the Ukrainian people courageously resist. He also emphasized that Germany will continue to support Ukraine in this fight. Thanks to music and art, viewers can feel the pain, hope and human dignity that persist even during war.

The first part of the concert – the performance of Mozart's Requiem – opened an evening of deep emotion and respect. It was performed by the choir and orchestra of the National Opera of Ukraine under the direction of conductor Mykola Dyadyura. The vocal parts were performed by famous Ukrainian soloists - Lilia Grevtsova (soprano), Irina Petrova (mezzo-soprano), Alexander Nikiforov (tenor) and Sergey Kovnir (bass). Choirmaster - Bohdan Plish.

"Requiem", Mozart's last work, became a musical tribute to the memory of all Ukrainians whose lives were cut short by Russian aggression.

The second part - the Ukrainian premiere of Jörg Widmann's "Cantata of the War Times" deeply impressed the audience. The composer, one of the most famous contemporary artists in Europe, created a work that combines texts of German poets and the Bible. In Kyiv, the "Cantata" was performed by the combined choirs of the National Opera and the Lyatoshynsky Chapel, the orchestra of the National Opera of Ukraine, soloist Ida Aldrian (Austria), choirmaster Bohdan Plish, conductor - maestro Kent Nagano (USA).

A special part of the concert was the participation of the Nobel Peace Prize laureate, human rights activist Alexandra Matviychuk as a reader.

Photo: MCSC