Held under the motto "Musicians for Musicians," the concert features the Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir under its Music Director Andrzej Boreyko, and Polish and Ukrainians singers Małgorzata Pańko-Edery (mezzo-soprano), Rafał Siwek (bass), Liudmyla Monastyrska (soprano), and Valentyn Dytiuk (tenor).
The programme includes Prayer for Ukraine for unaccompanied mixed choir by Ukrainian composer Valentin Silvestrov and Giuseppe Verdi’s Messa da Requiem.
The entire proceeds from the concert will benefit the musicians from Kyiv. All the Polish musicians, as well as members of the Warsaw Philharmonic technical staff and the staff of all co-organizers of the event, have also decided to donate their fees to help Ukrainian musicians.
Andrzej Boreyko (centre) and members of the Warsaw National Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra. Photo: Leszek Szymański/PAP
Andrzej Boreyko, Artistic Director of the Warsaw Philharmonic, has condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
In a statement issued a few days after the war began, Boreyko wrote:
"Human life is the greatest value to me, and I therefore firmly condemn every war, including the one declared by the Russian government on Ukraine. I am deeply moved by the tragedy of our Neighbours.
"I have close friends and acquaintances in Ukraine, who have now found themselves in great peril. I pray for them and for all the Citizens of Ukraine … War kills. There can be no justification for war. War should be stopped immediately."
Andrzej Boreyko. Photo: Jakub Kukla/PR2
(mk/gs)