Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra/Keri-Lynn Wilson

Art over adversity: the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra returns to London with a programme of music by Ukrainian composers plus one of Beethoven’s most epic symphonies.

The overture to Verdi’s wartime tale of love and fate paves the way for music by two Ukrainian composers: Yevhen Stankovych’s Second Violin Concerto, a meditation on the struggle to find light in darkness; and Myroslav Skoryk’s Melody, ‘the spiritual hymn of Ukraine’ (Ukrainian Weekly), with virtuoso violinist Valeriy Sokolov. Finally, emerging triumphant, a tribute to heroism in Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony.

The UFO was formed in 2022 by conductor Keri-Lynn Wilson in collaboration with the Metropolitan Opera and Polish National Opera. Composed of refugees, Ukrainian members of European orchestras and some of the top musicians from across Ukraine, the orchestra is at the forefront of the fight to defend the nation’s cultural legacy. They return to London for what promises to be a ‘highly impressive and deeply moving’ performance (Guardian).

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This performance will finish at approximately 4pm, including a 20-minute interval

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