A Concert for Ukraine Highlights

Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, the Met has been unstinting in its support for the Ukrainian people as they fight in defense of their freedom. These efforts ranged from a performance of the Ukrainian National Anthem before the premiere of the new production of Verdi’s Don Carlos to the dedication of the entire spring season to the embattled nation to a partnership with the Polish National Opera that led to the creation of the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra. The company also presented a special benefit performance, A Concert for Ukraine, conducted by Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin, to raise funds and aid relief efforts. This playlist includes highlights from that concert, which began with the Ukrainian National Anthem—showcasing young Ukrainian bass-baritone Vladyslav Buialskyi—and featured the Met Chorus performing Valentin Silvestrov’s “Prayer for Ukraine” and “Va, pensiero” from Verdi’s Nabucco. The evening concluded with the rousing finale from Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, with star soloists soprano Elza van den Heever, mezz-soprano Jamie Barton, tenor Piotr Beczała, and bass-baritone Ryan Speedo Green. Silvestrov PRAYER FOR THE UKRAINE, M.P. Belaieff/Schott Music │Beethoven SYMPHONY NO. 9, Finale, Baerenreiter Verlag