French Cellist Jean-Guihen Queyras to Donate U.S. Concert Proceeds to Ukraine

In response to new government policies in the U.S., Queyras will be donating funds from his American concerts to Ukraine 

In the lead-up to his five concerts in the U.S. this year, the French Cellist Jean-Guihen Queyras has pledged to give all proceeds from the concerts to Ukraine in support of President Zelensky. 

The funds will primarily go to Zelensky’s United24 Foundation, which was created to increase donations to support defense, humanitarian, and medical aid to Ukraine. 

Queyras now joins violinist Christian Tetzlaff and the Tetzlaff Quartet as one of the first foreign artists to respond to major changes in the arts and beyond implemented by the Trump administration, as well as the recent meeting between the U.S. and Ukraine Presidents. 

However, while Tetzlaff and the Tetzlaff Quartet chose to cancel their U.S. performances, Queyras will move ahead with his engagements in Seattle and Fort Worth in April 2025 in addition to more concert dates in other U.S. cities.   

Additionally, Queyras traveled to Kyiv in 2024 to perform a benefit concert supporting Ukraine. 

“After last week’s horrific spectacle at the White House — staged to humiliate Ukraine President Zelensky — and the U.S.’s rapid shift away from the fundamental freedoms and democratic ideals that Europe and the West have long defended, and after Christian Tetzlaff’s strong decision to cancel his upcoming US appearances, I have been considering what to do with my five US dates this year,” Queyras explained on Facebook.

“I have decided to honor these engagements while donating all proceeds to President Zelensky’s United24 Foundation,” he continued. “Recognizing the extremely urgent need to support the brave Ukrainian people in their struggle for their and our freedom, I have provided a substantial advance on these incomes to United24, effective immediately. I humbly call on all who can to join this struggle and act as quickly as possible.”

Jean-Guihen Queyras is a Larsen Artist, performing on Larsen Il Cannone Warm & Broad and Magnacore strings. Larsen Strings has previously aided Jean-Guihen’s support for Ukranian orchestras with strings for the musicians affected by the war.