On the evening of Monday 29 July 2024, the Royal Opera House Songs for Ukraine Chorus and members of the Royal Opera Chorus will join the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra and its founder and conductor, Keri-Lynn Wilson, in a historic performance at London’s St Paul’s Cathedral.  

In a concert presented by the Barbican, Royal Opera House and Askonas Holt, the orchestra and chorus will perform Beethoven’s Symphony No 9, with choral parts sung in the Ukrainian language. In the 200th-anniversary year of the symphony and its famous 'Ode To Joy' fourth movement which premiered in May 1824, the orchestra’s acclaimed Ukrainian-language version of the work will be performed to re-assert values of freedom, sovereignty and resistance against Russia’s invasion. 

The Royal Opera House’s Songs for Ukraine Chorus was formed in the spring of 2023 in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The Chorus is made up of 130 Ukrainian people, a majority of whom have been displaced by the war. They will join the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra for this special performance.

Yaroslava Matvieienko, member of the Royal Opera House Songs for Ukraine Chorus, says: "I went to St Paul’s a few years ago as a tourist but could not even think that I would be returning as a performer of a classical masterpiece in the Ukrainian language! I want to welcome old and especially new friends and compatriots to share the power of music, and the sense of togetherness and pride for our country Ukraine and Ukrainians. This concert is the best way to see and understand our inner spirit when we unite."

The awe-inspiring architecture of St Paul’s Cathedral is an apt backdrop for Beethoven’s mighty work and this unique collaboration between the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra, the Barbican and the Royal Opera House. Performing together beneath the iconic dome of St Paul’s for the first time, the orchestra, choruses and the orchestra’s founder and conductor Keri-Lynn Wilson will join the ranks of other great orchestras and conductors who have performed beneath it.   

Keri-Lynn Wilson, Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra founder and conductor, says: “As Ukraine continues its fight on behalf of the free world, it needs our support more than ever and we will proudly take our message across Europe and the United States in an expression of love for Ukraine and our steadfastness in our resistance to tyranny.” 

The concert will open with the UK premiere of Freedom – a new work by acclaimed Ukrainian composer Victoria Vita Polevá. The piece is the latest in a series of responses to the invasion composed by Polevá, including Bucha. Lacrimosa, which was created in memory of the innocent victims of the Russian invasion of the Ukrainian town of Bucha in 2022.  

Jillian Barker, Royal Opera House Director of Learning and Participation says: “The Royal Opera House is incredibly proud and humbled to be a part of this wonderful concert. Our Songs for Ukraine Chorus was created to unite the Ukrainian community through the power of music, and this collaboration with the Barbican, Keri-Lynn Wilson, our Royal Opera Chorus and the Ukrainian Freedom Orchestra is a continuation of our support and admiration for the people of Ukraine.” 

Helen Wallace, Barbican Head of Music says: “We’re thrilled to be supporting the Ukraine Freedom Orchestra again following their Barbican concert last year, and at this very special City of London venue. The Royal Opera House’s inspirational Songs for Ukraine project is all about the importance of collaboration and the power of music to unify people. It’s a timely opportunity to honour the bravery of the Ukrainian people in the face of this brutal invasion.”