A historic free concert presented as a gesture of solidarity with the victims of the war in Ukraine, in partnership with the Scottish Government. The Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra comes to Edinburgh for a historic free concert, the only Scotland performance in their tour of Europe and the USA. Edinburgh is twinned with the city of Kyiv and this special collaboration between the International Festival and the Scottish Government is in support of the citys Ukrainian community and those directly affected by the war. Under the leadership of Canadian-Ukrainian conductor Keri-Lynn Wilson, the orchestras repertoire includes Ukrainian composer Valentin Silvestrovs Seventh Symphony; Chopins Second Piano Concerto with Ukrainian virtuoso Anna Fedorova; and leading Ukrainian soprano Liudmyla Monastyrska performing an aria from Verdis Aida. Assembled by New Yorks Metropolitan Opera and the Polish National Opera, the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra includes recent refugees, Ukrainian members of European orchestras and leading Ukrainian musicians and performers. The Ukraine Ministry of Culture is granting a special exemption to military-age, male members of orchestras inside the country to participate, allowing them to put down weapons and take up their instruments in a demonstration of the power of art over adversity. Presented in partnership with the Scottish Government.
The Ukranian Freedom Orchestra
Keri-Lynn Wilson Conductor
Anna Fedorova Piano
Liudmyla Monastyrska Soprano
Including works by Valentin Silvestrov, Chopin and Verdi